On 30 October an ex-meridian altitude of the Sun's lower limb at upper transit was observed at 1144 ZT. Your DR position is LAT 22°42.0'S, LONG 137°16.0'W, and your sextant altitude (hs) is 80°59.4'. The index error is 2.5' off the arc, and your height of eye is 42.5 feet. The chronometer time of the observation is 08h 46m 15s, and the chronometer error is 02m 12s fast. Find the latitude at meridian transit from the ex-meridian observation.

Question

Accepted Answer

Option C: LAT 22°31.4'S. Calculate the time of meridian passage and the Sun's declination. Use the ex-meridian formula to determine the reduction to the meridian. By applying the correction to the observed altitude, the latitude at transit is calculated as 22°31.4'S, accounting for the small time difference from local noon.