Abstract
This article is motivated by uncertainty in experimental determinations of the gravitational constant, G, and numerous anomalies of up to 0.5 percent in Newtonian gravitational force on bodies within the solar system. The analysis sheds new light through six natural experiments within the solar system, which draw on published reports and astrophysical databases, and involve laboratory determinations of G, orbital dynamics of the planets and the moons of Earth and Mars, and non-gravitational acceleration (NGA) of ‘Oumuamua and comets. In each case, values are known for all variables in Newton’s Law F=G·M·mR2, except for the gravitational constant, G. Analyses determine the gravitational constant’s observed value, G^, which—across the six settings—varies with the mass of the smaller, moving body, m, so that G^=G×0.998+0.00016×lnm. While further work is required, this examination shows a scale-related Newtonian gravity effect at scales from benchtop to Solar System, which contributes to the understanding of symmetry in gravity and has possible implications for Newton’s Laws, dark matter, and formation of structure in the universe.
Highlights
R the gravitational constant’s observed value, Ĝ, which—across the six settings—varies with the mass of the smaller, moving body, m, so that Ĝ = G × (0.998 + 0.00016 × ln(m))
While further work is required, this examination shows a scale-related Newtonian gravity effect at scales from benchtop to Solar System, which contributes to the understanding of symmetry in gravity and has possible implications for Newton’s Laws, dark matter, and formation of structure in the universe
Astronomers rarely have the opportunity to handle or experiment on their subjects and so depend on remote observations, which—when compiled in databases—can offer rich insights. This analysis is motivated by gravitational anomalies that have been observed at the smallest and largest scale [1,2,3,4] and examines them using results from determinations of G and data on the velocity of planets and smaller bodies in the solar system
Summary
The value of the gravitational constant, G, is typically determined through benchtop experiments in controlled conditions that measure the interaction between a large mass that serves as the gravitational attractor and a smaller target mass [11,12]. Nor was there a significant difference in G identified from twinned experiments by a team using 500 L tanks as attractor masses that were filled with water and mercury [19]. Panel B: Statistics for OLS Regressions Using Target Mass as the Independent Variable
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