On 12 April at 0515 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 21°05'S, LONG 16°30'W. Your vessel is steaming at 19 knots on a course of 278°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0930 ZT. The chronometer reads 10h 28m 25s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 40°15.9'. The index error is 2.5' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 2m 15s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 57 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) and intercept (a) based on the assumed position of this sight?

Question

On 12 April at 0515 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 21&deg;05'S, LONG 16&deg;30'W. Your vessel is steaming at 19 knots on a course of 278&deg;T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0930 ZT. The chronometer reads 10h 28m 25s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 40&deg;15.9'. The index error is 2.5' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 2m 15s slow. Your height of eye on the bridge is 57 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) and intercept (a) based on the assumed position of this sight?

Accepted Answer

Option B: Zn 057.0&deg;, a 17.7' A. The intercept and azimuth are determined by calculating the LHA and declination of the Sun at the time of sight. Using the intercept method (Ho vs Hc), the result is an azimuth of 057.0° and an intercept of 17.7' Away, confirming the vessel's position relative to the assumed position.