On 25 May your vessel's 1917 zone time position is LAT 24°16.0'N, LONG 017°26.0'W. At that time a sextant observation of the planet Saturn was made. The sextant altitude is 63°05.1', and the chronometer reads 08h 18m 24s. The index error is 4.5' off the arc, and the chronometer error is 01m 05s fast. Your height of eye is determined to be 62.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?
Official USCG Answer & Rule Citation
Correct Answer: Option D — 147.3°
Calculate the Ho by applying index error (+4.5') and dip (62 ft) to the sextant altitude. Determine GHA and Dec for Saturn using the Nautical Almanac. Compute the intercept and azimuth (Zn) by comparing the calculated altitude (Hc) to Ho at the assumed position, yielding an azimuth of 147.3°.
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