We know a mass of an object of one kilogram as an object that weighs W = mg = 9.8 N and we reference it to that, (when it should as a fundamental parameter describe weight not the opposite). But if we were to describe mass to an alien civilization on an alien planet we are exchanging knowledge with, by sending them a one kilogram object, according to their gravity they will measure it differently.
Also their star could be curving space time in such a way, or their velocity according to SR will cause them to perceive mass on our planet -if they observe from away- differently.
If we asked a crew on a space ship moving at a speed close to the speed of light wrt us, or moving in a gravitational field they don't know about, to measure the mass of our planet, they will get different results. On the same principle, we could be measuring the mass of far celestial objects like planets, differently.
I perceive space time as full of curves and irregularities. We know the about some of these and we don't about others. I mean we know about the earth's gravity, the sun's but we ignore the effect of the galaxy and the cluster, dark matter, and who knows what else. Besides we change our position all the time with relation to these external factors that bend spacetime. So our measurements to an outside neutral observer, say these aliens could change.
I've found definitions of mass like "the quantity of matter in an object" but that seems like the good old: mass = volume x density, but mass is the more fundamental quantity than either of them, with which theses parameters should be described by mass not the opposite, not to mention how relative these other quantities are, considering SR and GR. Or "The resistance of an object to acceleration" but again you have to describe how fast that object is moving and what spacetime it's in according to SR and GR.
So what makes us so confident that mass is such a universal value, when we built everything on a concept referenced by our own gravity, and maybe our own reference frame?
How do we describe mass to the aliens, who don't know about our (g)?
How do we measure the mass of celestial objects say planets, by units like kilograms, and pounds, while they are not subject to the earth's gravity, (I'm well aware of the difference between weight and mass). I mean that's what they will weigh -ignoring their own gravity- if they were in our atmosphere on a huge scale? So what's the method?
Bottom line Is there a direct way to measure mass like we do with other fundamental values like length and temperature, other than using a scale or equations, i.e not depending on other physical parameters to describe it?
--Forgive the length..