On 8 May in DR position LAT 30°26.0'N, LONG 46°55.1'W, you take an ex-meridian observation of Dubhe. The chronometer time of the sight is 11h 10m 54s, and the chronometer error is 01m 18s slow. The sextant altitude (hs) is 58°35.0'. The index error is 1.5' on the arc, and your height of eye is 44 feet. What is the latitude at meridian transit?

Correct Answer: Option A — LAT 30°19.8'N

Determine the time from meridian passage using the chronometer error and the body's hour angle. Apply corrections to the sextant altitude for index error, dip, refraction, and parallax. Using the ex-meridian reduction formula, calculate the latitude at transit as 30°19.8'N, adhering to standard celestial navigation reduction techniques.