Abstract
We measured Newton's gravitational constant using a new torsion balance method. Our technique greatly reduces several sources of uncertainty compared to previous measurements: (1) It is insensitive to anelastic torsion fiber properties; (2) a flat plate pendulum minimizes the sensitivity due to the pendulum density distribution; (3) continuous attractor rotation reduces background noise. We obtain ; the Earth's mass is, therefore, and the Sun's mass is .
- Received 5 June 2000
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.2869
©2000 American Physical Society