On 11 March your 1846 zone time DR position is LAT 25°05.7' N, LONG 124°29.0' W. At that time you observe Polaris with a sextant altitude (hs) of 25°59.1'. The chronometer time of the sight is 02h 44m 01s, and the chronometer error is 02m 15s slow. The index error is 3.9' on the arc, and the height of eye is 42.7 feet (13.0 meters). What is your latitude by Polaris?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option A: 25°17.9'N. Apply index error (+3.9') and dip correction for 42.7 feet to obtain the observed altitude. Use the Polaris correction tables in the Nautical Almanac, adjusting for LHA of Aries. The resulting latitude calculation confirms 25°17.9'N, accounting for the specific time and chronometer error provided in the problem.