On 15 October an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1146 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 22°42.0'N, LONG 139°52.0'E, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 58°30.4'. The index error is 3.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 56.7 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 02h 45m 06s, and the chronometer error is 01m 06s slow. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation.

Question

On 15 October an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1146 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 22&deg;42.0'N, LONG 139&deg;52.0'E, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 58&deg;30.4'. The index error is 3.4' on the arc, and your height of eye is 56.7 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 02h 45m 06s, and the chronometer error is 01m 06s slow. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation.

Accepted Answer

Option B: LAT 22&deg;35.2'N. Correct the sextant altitude for index error, dip, and refraction to obtain Ho. Calculate the time of meridian passage and the Sun's declination. Use the ex-meridian formula (reduction to the meridian) to adjust the observed altitude to the meridian altitude, resulting in a calculated latitude of 22°35.2'N.