Gday Mark
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A point of clarification though...when the scope is in polar home position the finder is on the bottom - is that right?
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For the LX200GPS/Rs, that is correct. It is done this way to ensure the scope starts midway between its hardstops.
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When Autostar slews to Sigma Octanis and goes from 0h RA to 21h RA the finder ends up 'on top' so it's easier to sight through - is that right
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Close... but no wabbit .
In home position, the scope is at 0h in HA(Hour Angle) NOT RA
RA changes constantly based on time
As such, you start at HA = 0 and based on date/time, the scope gets a rough idea of where RA is. It uses this to estimate where the target star is, and you confirm that when you align
As such, if you do a 1 star align ( where it slews to Sigma Octans first),
it will first slew from DEC = -90 to DEC = -88:57, then slew to the RA "wherever Sigma Octans is"
Ie SigOct may be below the pole, in which case the finder will be on top,
but if Sigma Octans is above the pole when you align, the finder will stay underneath ( and you need a rubber neck )
Andrew