Gravitational Constant

Could this be what you are seeking? Gravitation

To a certain extent, it simply comes down to convention. When Cavendish measured G in 1798, he used units of mass that had previously defined values. Had at some point prior to his experiments, the unit of mass been defined differently, G would indeed have a different value. In fact, G has several different values, depending on what scale and what units you're working with. G is really only a numerical conversion constant relating mass and distance to force. (Much like converting PSI to Atm, or some other system.) We know G with the certainty we do (and it's uncertainty has actually been increased in recent years) due to repeated experimental measurements.

Now, don't get Jorrie started on if the value of G is indeed constant throughout the universe!

If you read the references, you'll see G. T. Gillies as the first one. George spent almost ten years (then the PhD limit) trying to measure a variation in the 14th decimal place of G and finally concluded he couldn't. For most everyday things, 10 good decimal places suffices for me.

For most everyday things, 10 good decimal places suffices for me.

Agreed!

perhaps you add exponent after the 10 digit. exponent mat have taken care of +128 zeros or -127 to that many decimal points. It all depend on what is that we are looking at. Distance in light years or distance in meters or nano meters. Perhaps for inter-galaxy travel plans one may need better G compilation.

Is it an error or do you really mean that today's value for gravity constant is less precise (encreased uncertainty) then before? Please explain why previous experiments xhich were most probably less complex could obtain a narrower error band.

Just click on his link and read the article.