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

Received: 27 October 2020    Accepted: 7 November 2020    Published: 16 November 2020
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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.

Published in American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Volume 8, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajaa.20200804.12
Page(s) 75-79
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Multi-Planetary, Space Science, Astronomy, Weight, Measurement, Sensors

References
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[2] Slater, T. F. (2020). Celestial Calculations: A Gentle Introduction to Computational Astronomy. AmJPh, 88 (1), 81-81. DOI: 10.1119/10.0000284.
[3] Joos, G., & Freeman, I. M. (2013). Theoretical physics. Courier Corporation.
[4] Murray, C. D., & Dermott, S. F. (1999). Solar system dynamics. Cambridge university press.
[5] Southworth, J., Wheatley, P. J., & Sams, G. (2007). A method for the direct determination of the surface gravities of transiting extrasolar planets. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters, 379 (1), L11-L15.
[6] Newcomb, S. (1895). On the principal fundamental constants of astronomy. The Astronomical Journal, 14, 185-189.
[7] Kuchynka, P., & Folkner, W. M. (2013). A new approach to determining asteroid masses from planetary range measurements. Icarus, 222 (1), 243-253.
[8] NASA, (2020). NASA Space Science Coordinated Data Archive. Retrieved 8 August 2020, from https://www.nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov.
[9] National Schools’ Observatory, (2020). Planet Data Sheet. Retrieved 9 August 2020, from https://www.schoolsobservatory.org/discover/quick/weight.
[10] Wilmshurst, T. (2006). Designing embedded systems with PIC microcontrollers: principles and applications. Elsevier.
[11] Gridling, G., & Weiss, B. (2007). Introduction to microcontrollers. Vienna University of Technology Institute of Computer Engineering Embedded Computing Systems Group.
[12] Kheiralla, A. F., Abbas Eltigani, M. M., Elzaki, A. O., & Hamed, M. (2012). Design and Development and Calibration ofan On-board Weighing System for an Industrial Wheel Loader. In International Conference on Trends in Industrial and Mechanical Engineering (ICTIME’2012).
[13] Lin, T. T., & Chen, W. T. (2017). Plant growth weight measurement instrument and method thereof U.S. Patent No. 9,775,300. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
[14] Montagnino, J. G., & Biang, J. M. (2003). Planetary weigh scale. U.S. Patent No. 6,608,260. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
[15] Hunt, J. (2019). Advanced Guide to Python 3 Programming. Springer.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Justus Chukwunonyerem, Ezechi Nwachukwu Emmanuel, Daniyan Omoniyi Lanre, Onubi Peter Offor, Donatus Nwagbara, et al. (2020). The Development of Multi-planetary Weight Measurement System for Computational Astronomy. American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 8(4), 75-79. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20200804.12

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    ACS Style

    Justus Chukwunonyerem; Ezechi Nwachukwu Emmanuel; Daniyan Omoniyi Lanre; Onubi Peter Offor; Donatus Nwagbara, et al. The Development of Multi-planetary Weight Measurement System for Computational Astronomy. Am. J. Astron. Astrophys. 2020, 8(4), 75-79. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20200804.12

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    AMA Style

    Justus Chukwunonyerem, Ezechi Nwachukwu Emmanuel, Daniyan Omoniyi Lanre, Onubi Peter Offor, Donatus Nwagbara, et al. The Development of Multi-planetary Weight Measurement System for Computational Astronomy. Am J Astron Astrophys. 2020;8(4):75-79. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20200804.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajaa.20200804.12,
      author = {Justus Chukwunonyerem and Ezechi Nwachukwu Emmanuel and Daniyan Omoniyi Lanre and Onubi Peter Offor and Donatus Nwagbara and Ayogu Harrison Ejiofor and Bonaventure Okere and Aliyu Nasiru and Chigozi Bethel Wali and Nnadi Joseph Odo and Chinedu Emeka Omulu and Ogochukwu Edith Eze and Kevin Eze Chukwunyere and Ayogu Jideofor Uchenna and Macdenis Onyekachi Egbuhuzor},
      title = {The Development of Multi-planetary Weight Measurement System for Computational Astronomy},
      journal = {American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics},
      volume = {8},
      number = {4},
      pages = {75-79},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajaa.20200804.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20200804.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaa.20200804.12},
      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.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

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    AU  - Chigozi Bethel Wali
    AU  - Nnadi Joseph Odo
    AU  - Chinedu Emeka Omulu
    AU  - Ogochukwu Edith Eze
    AU  - Kevin Eze Chukwunyere
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    JF  - American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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    AB  - 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.
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Author Information
  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory, Uyo, Nigeria

  • National Center for Equipment Maintenance and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • NASRDA-Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • Department of Materials & Metallurgical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

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