On 28 July your 0800 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 25°16.0'N, LONG 71°19.0'W. Your vessel is on course 026°T, and your speed is 17.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1149 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 82°28.7'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

Question

On 28 July your 0800 zone time fix gives you a position of LAT 25&deg;16.0'N, LONG 71&deg;19.0'W. Your vessel is on course 026&deg;T, and your speed is 17.5 knots. Local apparent noon (LAN) occurs at 1149 zone time, at which time a meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb is observed. The observed altitude (Ho) for this sight is 82&deg;28.7'. What is the calculated latitude at LAN?

Accepted Answer

Option C: 26&deg;25.0'N. Applying the meridian altitude formula, Latitude = (90° - Ho) ± Declination. With an Ho of 82°28.7' and the Sun's declination for 28 July, the observer's latitude is determined by the zenith distance and declination. The result 26°25.0'N aligns with the calculated zenith distance and the Sun's position.