You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 34°51.4' on 18 October. The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 54 feet (16.5 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

Question

You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 34&deg;51.4' on 18 October. The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 54 feet (16.5 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

Accepted Answer

Option A: 35&deg;01.2'. Applying Bowditch celestial reduction rules, index error 'off the arc' is added to sextant altitude. Height of eye dip is subtracted. Sun's semi-diameter and altitude corrections for October yield the exact observed altitude of 35&deg;01.2'.

You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 34&deg;51.4' on 18 October. The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 54 feet (16.5 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?

You observe the lower limb of the Sun at a sextant altitude (hs) of 34°51.4' on 18 October. The index error is 2.0' off the arc. The height of eye is 54 feet (16.5 meters). What is the observed altitude (Ho)?