The Development of Multi-planetary Weight Measurement System for Computational Astronomy

Justus Chukwunonyerem ,Ayogu Harrison Ejiofor,Chigozi Bethel Wali,Bonaventure Okere,Ogochukwu Edith Eze,Nnadi Joseph Odo,Chinedu Emeka Omulu,Ayogu Jideofor Uchenna,Daniyan Omoniyi Lanre,Onubi Peter Offor,Aliyu Nasiru,Ezechi Nwachukwu Emmanuel,Kevin Eze Chukwunyere,Donatus Nwagbara ,Macdenis Egbuhuzor

doi:10.11648/j.ajaa.20200804.12

Justus Chukwunonyerem , Ayogu Harrison Ejiofor + Show 13 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20200804.12

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Abstract

In this work, the design of a multi-planetary weight measurement device comprising of a hardware and software system, capable of measuring and displaying the weight of objects in different planets of our solar system is presented. It is a microcontroller-based device indigenously designed for computational astronomy needs in multi-planetary weight measurement. It is also a fascinating basic space science tool for space science enthusiasts. The methodology of the hardware design involved the programming and interconnection of modular electronic chips and sensors such as load cell sensor-TAS606, load cell amplifier-HX711, liquid crystal display-LCD, Joy-Stick switch and microcontroller which can measure weight of objects not exceeding five kilograms. The software system was designed into executable program using python programing language and can measure any range of object’s weight in the solar system. Surface gravity values for each planet were calculated and the respective values mapped for each select planet. Weight computational codes for respective planets were also developed in C-programming language for determining the weight of different objects on each planet. The device was calibrated using a known weight of one Kilogram (1Kg). Accurate weights of two different objects were measured for different planets on the system; the weights (data) measured were recorded and analyzed to show the key importance of gravity in astronomical weight computation in different planets.

Highlights

This work is designed and presented to demonstrate weight measurement in different planets of the solar system. It is an indigenous design comprising of a hardware device and a software program developed to drive down the concept of astronomy computation in multi-planetary weight measurement
Mass of any object is the total body matter content of the object. It is measured in grams and has the same value irrespective of the position of the object in any planet of the American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020; 8(4): 75-79 solar system [1, 2]
Weight is a vector quantity, the gravitational force which is a component of weight, has direction, it is measured in Newton and its value depends on the position of the object in any of the planets of the solar system [3]

Summary

Introduction

This work is designed and presented to demonstrate weight measurement in different planets of the solar system. Mass of any object is the total body matter content of the object It is measured in grams and has the same value irrespective of the position of the object in any planet of the American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020; 8(4): 75-79 solar system [1, 2]. There are eight known planets in the solar system comprising of Mecury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupitar, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune [4]. These planets have different surface gravity values. The different values of the gravitational force in the planets account for how objects will fall when released from each of the planets of the solar system

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