On 25 May your vessel's 1858 zone time position is LAT 21°05.0'N, LONG 143°27.0'E. At that time a sextant observation of the planet Venus was made. The sextant altitude is 12°53.4' and the chronometer reads 08h 59m 15s. The index error is 4.5' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 25s fast. Your height of eye is determined to be 55.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of the sight using the assumed position?
Official USCG Answer & Rule Citation
Correct Answer: Option A — 290.4°T
Calculating the azimuth of Venus involves determining the Local Hour Angle and declination from the Nautical Almanac. Using the ABC tables or the haversine formula with the assumed position, the computed azimuth is 290.4°T. This value is essential for determining the compass error during celestial navigation procedures.
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