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

On 27 March in DR position LAT 32&deg;31.0'N, LONG 76&deg;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&deg;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?

Accepted Answer

Option B: LAT 32&deg;29.5'N. Ex-meridian sights require correcting the observed altitude for index error, dip, and refraction to find the true altitude. Applying the reduction to the meridian (Bowditch Table 25) using the calculated time from local apparent noon yields the latitude at transit. The result aligns with the calculated 32°29.5'N.