On 10 March in DR position LAT 21°42.0'S, LONG 57°28.0'E, you take an ex- meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 08h 28m 17s, and the chronometer error is 00m 00s. The sextant altitude (hs) is 72°08.0'. The index error is 3.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 52.7 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option A: LAT 21°45.5'S. Computing latitude from a sun ex-meridian observation near upper transit involves applying index error, dip, refraction, and parallax to obtain true altitude. Applying the ex-meridian correction table based on the hour angle from transit yields LAT 21°45.5'S.