On 24 March your vessel is enroute from Cadiz to Norfolk. Evening twilight will occur at 1830 zone time and your vessel's DR position will be LAT 35°06' N, LONG 60°48' W. Considering their azimuth, altitude, and magnitude, which group of stars is best suited for plotting a star fix at star time?

Correct Answer: Option A — Sirius, Dubhe, Mirfak

Star selection for a fix relies on selecting bodies with high magnitude for visibility and an azimuthal spread that minimizes the area of the triangle of error. Sirius, Dubhe, and Mirfak provide the most favorable geometry and brightness for a reliable fix at the specified twilight.