On 1 October you determine the zone time of evening twilight will be 1835. Your DR position will be LAT 27°18.0' N, LONG 48°52.0' W. Considering their magnitude and location, which group of three stars are best suited to be used in obtaining a fix at star time?

Correct Answer: Option C — Alphecca, Kochab, Deneb

Alphecca, Kochab, and Deneb offer the necessary azimuthal spread and altitude distribution for a mid-latitude northern hemisphere observer. Following Bowditch principles, these stars are chosen for their high magnitude and favorable geometry, which minimizes the intersection angle error when plotting lines of position for a reliable celestial fix.