What does the term "Local Noon" refer to in nautical navigation?

The term "Local Noon" in nautical navigation refers to the time at which the Sun is highest in the sky. This phenomenon occurs when the Sun crosses the local meridian, which is an imaginary line that runs from the North to South Pole and passes directly overhead. At Local Noon, the Sun reaches its zenith, resulting in the shortest shadow length for vertical objects and effectively marking the peak of solar day. This moment is crucial for navigators as it provides a point of reference for determining latitude and can assist in timekeeping when navigating at sea.

While the other options present terms or concepts related to navigation and time, they do not specifically capture the distinct definition of Local Noon as it is understood in the context of celestial navigation.