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?

Question

On 8 May in DR position LAT 30&deg;26.0'N, LONG 46&deg;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&deg;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?

Accepted Answer

Option B: LAT 30&deg;19.8'N. Calculate the time of meridian passage and the Sun's declination. Apply the ex-meridian formula (reduction to the meridian) to account for the time difference from transit. Using the corrected Ho and declination, solve for the observer's latitude at the moment of meridian transit, resulting in 30°19.8'N.