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Pegasus Astro NYX-88 Product Manual

Strain wave gear mount
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NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount
NYX-88 S
W
G
M
TRAIN
AVE
EAR
OUNT
P
M
RODUCT
ANUAL
V
1.2 - 2025-16-03
ERSION
Page 1 of 78
Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual

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Summary of Contents for Pegasus Astro NYX-88

  • Page 1 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount NYX-88 S TRAIN OUNT RODUCT ANUAL 1.2 - 2025-16-03 ERSION Page 1 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 2 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount Version History Version # Implemented By Revision Date Reason Evans Souglakos 25/Feb/2025 Initial Document Evans Souglakos 16/Mar/2025 Type errors and minor corrections. Page 2 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Altitude locking knobs ............................25 Azimuth Adjustment ............................26 Telescope Placement ............................27 Balancing of Telescope ............................28 Payload Capacity and Counterweights ........................ 28 Compatible Counter Weights and Shaft ......................29 Page 3 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 4 Park and Unpark ..............................51 Home position ..............................51 Tracking Rates..............................52 Wi-Fi Client Configuration ........................... 53 Wi-Fi Hotspot Configuration..........................54 Considerations about Wi-Fi channels to improve network connection ............. 54 Page 4 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 5 Star Alignment ..............................63 Polar Alignment ..............................70 ASCOM SOFTWARE ............................71 SKYSAFARI (LX200) ............................73 ASCOM ALPACA ............................. 77 Use Alpaca with N.I.N.A............................77 Use Alpaca with SkySafari............................ 78 Page 5 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 6: Preface

    NYX-88 is compatible with ASCOM, ASCOM Alpaca, INDI, and any software that supports the LX200 command set. IM OF THIS DOCUMENT The purpose of this document is to support the user in the operation of the NYX-88. Please read carefully the manual before using the NYX-88 mount.

  • Page 7: Product Overview

    12. Firmware Upgradable via USB cable or Wireless (over the air). An easy firmware upgrade process allows you to stay up to date with bug fixes and the latest features of the mount. Page 7 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 8: Technical Data

    USB2 and Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) Operating Temperature -20° C to + 50°C Warranty 3 years Made in (designed, assembled and Greece. We carefully curate the entire manufacturing, testing and packing tested) process. Page 8 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 9: Packaging

    Persistent rubbing with a cloth on logo marking areas may wear them. IGH TORQUE WARNING NYX-88 produces very high torque on both axes which can be dangerous if cables, your hand fingers or any other obstacle collide with the mount or stuck between moving parts! In this unlike event, mount can easily crash or cut anything that is left unattended.

  • Page 10: Included Items

    Power Supply 12V / 5A with GX12 jack Hard Shell Case - Carry Bag USB2 Type A to B Cable 2 x Azimuth Locking Knobs 1 x Hand Knob (M12 screw) Page 10 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 11: Mount Key Points

    Azimuth Adjustment Knobs: Rotate these two knobs to adjust the azimuth base of the mount (± 5 degrees). Home Indicators: These line indicators match homing encoders when mount is instructed to move home. Page 11 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 12 NYX Hand Controller. [11] Red LED Indicator: Light blinking pattern shows different mount states. [12] Power Switch: Turns on or off the mount. Page 12 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 13: Carbon Fiber Tripod (Peg-Trpd88)

    Max Load Capacity: 50 Kg 2 x Allen hex keys ▪ ▪ The angle of legs: Fixed 35° Triangular plate with M12 locking knob ▪ Metallic (3 pcs) nails to replace rubber foot pads Page 13 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 14 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount Page 14 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 15 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount Tripod with retracted legs. Tripod with legs fully extended. Page 15 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 16: Setting Up The Carbon Fiber Tripod

    3. Lock the Tray Fixed Knob to secure the adapter to the desired orientation. To release an adapter: 1. Unlock the Tray Fixed Knob. 2. Press the Tray Safety Button. 3. Slide out the adapter. Page 16 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 17 The tripod bag includes, in the zipper, three (3) foot nails that you can exchange with the stock foot pads. As shown in the figure, the foot pad and foot nail can be exchanged according to the terrain and your shooting requirements. Page 17 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 18: Half Pier Assembly

    This half pier is ideal for mounting the NYX88 on the classic steel EQ6 Tripod. The Half Pier is essential for preventing your telescope from colliding with the tripod legs. Page 18 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 19 The use of this margarita knob is to additionally secure the mount on the pier. The 2 x “azimuth locking knobs” and “azimuth bolts” already hold the mount in place. Page 19 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 20 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount ASSEMBLY OF PEG-HP88-NYX-TRPD ASSEMBLY OF PEG-HP88-EQ6-TRPD Page 20 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 21 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount To secure the half-pier assembly to the tripod, use the provided M12 hex nut (included with half pier assembly) as shown in the images below. Page 21 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 22: Installation And Usage

    4. Gently lower the mount onto the tripod adapter as shown in the figure below. 5. Secure mount with the M12 Knob (as shown at image below) Page 22 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 23 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount 6. Insert the 2 x Altitude Locking Knobs on the left and right side (do not fully tighten them yet). Page 23 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 24: Altitude Adjustment

    • If you are in Alt-Azimuth mode, set the mount to a pitch or latitude of 90° (figure on the right) Page 24 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 25: Altitude Locking Knobs

    Extra altitude locking knobs exists on both sides of the mount, allowing you to securely lock the altitude of the mount. It is strongly advised to tighten these set screw when the mount is loaded with long or heavy telescope setups. Page 25 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 26: Azimuth Adjustment

    Turn the azimuth fine adjustment knobs to fine-slide the mount left or right in the azimuth axis. When you finish, tighten both Azimuth locking knobs to secure the mount’s position. Page 26 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 27: Telescope Placement

    5. The telescope has now been placed and secured onto the mount Before placing the telescope in equatorial mode, please ensure that the Universal Saddle is upwards - counterweight tap points down. Page 27 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 28: Balancing Of Telescope

    Large tubes such as Newtonian OTAs might require an extra 5 kg counterweight to ensure the stability and smooth operation of the mount. Page 28 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 29: Compatible Counter Weights And Shaft

    EIGHTS AND HAFT NYX-88 supports an M12 shaft. As we care about in mount’s portability, we designed an M12 screw hole that accepts shafts and counterweights from other manufacturers and can be easily found across every region in the world.
  • Page 30 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount Place the camera with its USB cable extended on the left as you look at the figure below and secure it with PoleMaster’s screws. PoleMaster Adapter Placement Page 30 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 31: Use Of Equatorial Mode

    The north (or south) celestial pole is the point that the sky rotates around. Example is for Northern Hemisphere In the northern hemisphere, the bright star Polaris sits very close to the celestial pole. South Page 31 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 32 Level the tripod with as much accuracy as you can. You can consult the electronic leveler (pitch and roll readouts) from our software or the classic bubble leveler of the mount. Point the mount to the north (or south) celestial pole. The polar-scope adapter of the NYX-88 should look at the north (or south) celestial pole.

  • Page 33: Use Of Alt-Azimuth Mode

    For the visual observer, an Alt-Az setup seems more convenient as it prevents any awkward position of the telescope eyepiece during the observation of different celestial targets. To use the NYX-88 in ALT-AZ mode you need to: Telescope to North...

  • Page 34: Mount Limits

    To remove the mount from the “limited” state use the direction pad to slew the scope away from the limit point. NYX-88 incorporates three (3) software limits. The software limits are configurable by the software. Hardware limits are not configurable and have to do with hardware limit sensors for your mount and telescope equipment protection.

  • Page 35: Mount Position

    OUNT OSITION NYX-88 mount has an internal non-volatile memory (FRAM type) that can hold data even after it is powered off. With more than 10 billion read/write cycles, the lifetime of this memory is essentially unlimited. This gives the advantage of continuously storing in memory the position of the motor (for both axes).

  • Page 36: Mount Connections

    10 Amps of total current. Voltage not in this range might cause permanent damage to the motor board. NYX-88 mount consumes 0.3A on idle operation, ∼0.5A during tracking, and ∼2.0Amps during slewing (peaks up to 2.5Amps).
  • Page 37 VCC (same as input) You can use this power output socket to provide power to your imaging equipment. E.g., if you own a Pegasus Astro Powerbox you can power it from this power output (figure below). The cable you need to provide power to the mount from our Powerbox products is the PEG-CABL-GX12.
  • Page 38 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount Below you can see some optional cables we offer for your “power distribution” needs. Page 38 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 39: Usb2 Protocol

    Plug the stock USB2 type A to B cable into the USB socket of the mount and your computer. Mount is automatically discovered from the Unity platform or our ASCOM driver. Any driver that is required to discover the NYX-88 via USB is in the Unity Platform package and automatically configured during Unity installation.

  • Page 40: External Port (St-4)

    ST-4 guiding camera into the EXT port. Only ST4 cameras and certified Pegasus Astro products are compatible with the EXT port. Otherwise, there is a high risk of severe damage to the electronic board of the NYX-88 mount. Page 40 of 78...

  • Page 41: First Time Operation

    Mount will initiate the boot sequence, the indication LED with turn on, and after 10 seconds you should hear a four notes welcome melody confirming that the mount’s firmware was loaded successfully. This is the time that the mount is in a fully operational state. South Page 41 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 42: Boot Sequence

    NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount EQUENCE Page 42 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 43: How To Initially Connect To The Mount

    Mobile (Android or IOS) application by connecting to the NYX-88 Wi-Fi Access Point (hotspot). Wi-Fi Access Point and Mobile application By default, NYX-88 mount launches a Wi-Fi hotspot access point which is accessible through the mobile application. You will have to connect to the network below and open the mobile application.
  • Page 44 Unity Platform (Windows-based software) and a USB cable. • Plug the USB cable into the mount and your computer. • Make sure that the NYX-88 mount switch is ON. (LED indicator should turn ON) • Download and install Unity Platform from: https://pegasusastro.com/download/ Page 44 of 78 Pegasus Astro –...
  • Page 45 Open the Unity application and after a while, you should see the screen below. • Click the discovered NYX-88 mount to enter the control panel. Please note that the NYX[xxxxxx] is the unique identification code of your NYX-88 mount. •...

  • Page 46: Set Mount Mode

    • Enter your site coordinates (latitude, longitude) and your approximate altitude and press Save. Note that you can use the altitude reading reported by the barometric sensor. Page 46 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 47: Mount Information

    Always include a + or - sign before latitude and longitude degrees. If you own a Pegasus Astro Uranus device, you can effortlessly transfer GPS coordinates and site elevation to your mount. Simply connect Uranus to Unity and click the “Import from Uranus GPS” button to automate the process.
  • Page 48 90 degrees at the zenith, the spot directly overhead. Pier Side shows where your telescope points: West or East. Tracking shows the current rate at that your mount tracks the sky. Status prints your mount’s condition messages. It reports if the NYX-88 mount: • Is Tracking •...

  • Page 49: Virtual Keypad

    (there are eight available rates: x2, x8, x16, x64, x128, 1.0°, 2.5°, 5.0°) to e.g. Centre, Guide, Move or Fast Slew the mount to a target. 3D M OUNT Page 49 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 50 The 3D View displays how the mount is oriented based on the current RA and DEC coordinates. The model is updated frequently (every 0.5 seconds). A compass is also displayed to point out how the mount is placed inside the 3d environment. Page 50 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 51: Park And Unpark

    You can reset the zero initial position by clicking the Reset Zero button. This assumes that your telescope points to the NCP and it will initialize the mount RA and DEC coordinates from this position. Page 51 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 52: Tracking Rates

    NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount RACKING ATES NYX-88 mount is capable of the following tracking rates: Sidereal: is the apparent rate of motion of stars across the sky, which is slightly faster than the rate of motion of the sun.

  • Page 53: Wi-Fi Client Configuration

    LIENT ONFIGURATION Apart from the Wi-Fi hotspot that is initiated during boot, you can connect the NYX-88 mount to a 2.4GHz * Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi Access Point and Wi-Fi Client can work simultaneously. * Please note that 5.0 GHz networks are not supported.

  • Page 54: Wi-Fi Hotspot Configuration

    In a crowded wireless landscape, wireless performance will often degrade and improve on its own, as other people use their Wi-Fi networks. Experimenting with channel settings can help here as well, since some of Page 54 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 55: Reset To Default The Wi-Fi Configuration

    Click the below button to reset to default all Wi-Fi client and hotspot settings. HANNEL NFORMATION This section displays the available and active channels that Unity has discovered and utilized. Unity Platform discovers and talks to the NYX-88 mount by using two different channels, simultaneously: • USB (via USB cable) •...
  • Page 56 The screenshot below displays a Wi-Fi-only discovered channel. Notice that Channel Info displays only a Wi-Fi icon. If you leave your mouse on the Wi-Fi icon you can see the signal strength percentage and the IP address that was assigned by your network to the NYX-88 mount. Page 56 of 78...

  • Page 57: Axes Configuration

    The slew rate is the maximum speed in degrees that both mount axes will accelerate and reach when slewing to a target. NYX-88 accepts three different slew rates through the Unity Platform. The selected slew rate is stored in the mount’s internal memory and retrieved on boot.

  • Page 58: Backlash Compensation

    However, under normal conditions, the backlash setup is not required so you can ignore it. You might cause more problems than fixing something here. Keep both values to zero (0). Backlash compensation values are stored in the mount’s internal memory and retrieved on boot. Page 58 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 59 N.I.N.A or any other modern imaging software can calculate the meridian limit time and automatically perform the flip. Please note that the Meridian limit at the NYX-88 settings should be set, for example, to +5-10 minutes. This allows any software to perform the flip without any hard meridian limit hit.

  • Page 60: Environmental Conditions

    NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount NVIRONMENTAL ONDITIONS NYX-88 mount integrates a set of sensors that report: • Mount Temperature (in °C or °F). • Input Voltage (in Volts). *Units, imperial or metric are switchable from Unity Platform (Configuration -> Localization -> Units) Page 60 of 78 Pegasus Astro –...

  • Page 61: Electronic Leveller

    LECTRONIC EVELLER NYX-88 mount incorporates an electronic leveler that can show the pitch (altitude) and roll angle in degrees. In Equatorial mode, the leveler can be consulted to set the altitude (pitch) of your mount and quickly find NCP or SCP.

  • Page 62: Mount Limits

    Limit settings take immediate effect, are stored in the mount’s internal memory and are retrieved on boot. When you hit a limit, the Unity Platform health status dashboard will display the limit type (image below). Page 62 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 63: Star Alignment

    Error Correction (CEC) is not necessary, but for astrophotography and setup of GoTo mounts, cone error correction may be advisable. In Alt-Az mode the preferred star alignment process is the 2 or 3-star alignment. Page 63 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 64 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount To perform a 1–9-star alignment to the NYX-88, in any mode (German Equatorial or ALT-AZ), follow the guide below: (*Unity Mobile accepts 1,2,3 or 5 stars) Locate Star Alignment -> Star Alignment Wizard and click the Next button Before any star alignment the mount should be homed at the zero position and the telescope should roughly points to the NCP or SCP.
  • Page 65 You can select up to (9) nine stars. Usually, a 3-star selection is adequate for a satisfactory star alignment result. A good polar alignment requires 2 stars or even 1 star. Click Next button Page 65 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 66 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount The Star Alignment guide will list all selected stars and be ready to slew (GoTo) the mount to each target. Click Start. Page 66 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 67 After reaching the star you will see a message to “Center the star in your eyepiece or FOV”. Make the required adjustments with the arrows/keypad to center the star in your eyepiece or FOV as well as you can. Click Confirm when done. Page 67 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 68 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount The Star Alignment Wizard will slew mount to the next star and the same procedure will be repeated until you have centered all listed stars. Page 68 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...
  • Page 69 If you move the tripod or do any polar alignment corrections then you will have to re-initiate the star alignment process. Page 69 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 70: Polar Alignment

    Knowing your latitude, adjust the position of the telescope mount to align with the North celestial pole. The NYX-88 mount has a latitude scale with an indicator of what latitude your mount is currently in line with. You can also consult the NYX-88 electronic leveler to verify and adjust the altitude (pitch) of the mount.

  • Page 71: Ascom Software

    Use any ASCOM-compatible software to control the mount. We use the “Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy” software in this example. Click ASCOM Telescope settings and select the discovered NYX-88 mount. Connect to the ASCOM driver. All mount information and standard operations such as keypad control, target slewing / GoTo, target sync and all supported ASCOM methods are available through the driver.
  • Page 72 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount Page 72 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

  • Page 73: Skysafari (Lx200)

    AFARI NYX-88 mount can communicate with any software that supports the basic LX200 command set. Make sure that you have first connected the NYX-88 with Unity mobile software in order to push coordinates and current datetime to mount. In the below example, we use the Sky Safari Plus 7. (You need the Plus or Pro version to have the telescope connect functionality).
  • Page 74 To use the fixed IP, please ensure that your mobile device is connected to the NYX_xxxxxxx wireless network. • Keep the Port Number as is (9999). • To verify that your communication with NYX-88 is successful, press “Check Connection Now”. • On success, you will see the message “Connection verified” Press Next.. Page 74 of 78...
  • Page 75 NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount • Enter a Preset Name (You can keep the Pegasus NYX-88) • Tick the “Set Telescope Time & Location”. This is important as the mount needs time and location to calculate limits and unlock its brake.
  • Page 76 As you are at the main sky view, select the Scope icon and Press Connect button. The application will communicate with NYX-88 and available controls will be visible. From there, you can select Slew Rates, Move with arrow keys, GoTo, or Sync to targets.

  • Page 77: Ascom Alpaca

    NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount ASCOM A LPACA The NYX-88 mount is fully compatible with any software that supports ASCOM Alpaca. To establish communication, ensure the mount is connected to your Wi-Fi network as a client or directly access it through the mount’s hotspot.

  • Page 78: Use Alpaca With Skysafari

    Select Auto Detect and Click -> Scan Netwotk For Devices NYX88 will be quickly discovered and selected. Press Next… Remember to enable -> Set Telescope Time and Location. Save Preset and you are ready to go! Page 78 of 78 Pegasus Astro – NYX-88 Product Manual...

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