Question:

On 17 April 1981, your vessel's 1856 zone time DR position is LAT 22°35.0' N, LONG
63°15.0' W. At that time, a sextant observation of the star Sirius is made. The sextant
altitude is 42°45.0' and the chronometer reads 10h 59m 27s. The index error is 2.6' off the
arc, and the chronometer error is 03m 01s fast. Your height of eye is determined to be 45
feet. What is the computed altitude (hc) and azimuth (Zn) for this sight using the assumed
position?
Answer: 42°51.6', 214.9° T
Solution:

Step 1: Write down the “givens”:

Sirius When you are asked to use an “assumed
17-Apr-81 position”, it means adjust your Latitude
Lat Long and Longitude so as to get your LHA and
1856 o
22 35.0 ’ N 63 o 15.0 ’ W Latitude as whole degrees.
(This makes it easier to read off Pub 229)

Step 2: Get the GMT:

ZTime: 17-Apr 18 56 To obtain ZD:

ZD: + 04 Long 63.25/ 15 = 4.21. Round it off to the nearest hour.
GMT: 17-Apr 22 56 (Example: 10.47 = 10h, not 11h, and 10.50 = 11h)

Chron: 10 59 27
Error: - 03 01
Chron: 10 56 26
GMT: 17-Apr 22 56 26

Step 3: Calculate LHA:

GHA γ : 175 o 56.3 ’

Incr: 14 o 08.8 ’
SHA +: 258 o 55.5 ’ Decl: 16 o 41.7 ’ S
------------
GHA+: 449 o 00.6 ’
GHA+: 089 o 00.6 ’
Long:- 063 o 00.6 ’ W (Adjust your Long not more than 30’ any side, to obtain a whole LHA)
------------
LHA+: 026 o 00.0 ’

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Step 4: Find the Azimuth “Zn” and Computed Altitude “HC”:

Use Pub 229:

Lat = 23o N
Decl = 16 o 41.7 ’ S

For LHA 026 o, Z = 145.1 o , HC = 42o 51.6 ’

o
- 360.0
--------
Zn = 214.9 o T , HC = 42o 51.5 ’

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