On 27 March in DR position LAT 32°31.0'N, LONG 76°25.0'W, you take an ex- meridian observation of the Sun's lower limb. The chronometer time of the sight is 05h 23m 32s, and the chronometer error is 01m 30s fast. The sextant altitude (hs) is 59°59.0'. The index error is 1.8' off the arc, and your height of eye is 52 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option C: LAT 32°29.5'N. Ex-meridian calculations determine latitude when the sun is observed near meridian passage. Correcting sextant altitude for index error, dip, refraction, and applying the calculated meridian correction yields exact latitude.