Determine the great circle distance and initial course from LAT 08°53.0'N, LONG 79°31.0'W to LAT 33°51.5'S, LONG 151°13.0'E.

Correct Answer: Option A — 7635 miles, 233.9°T

Great circle navigation utilizes spherical trigonometry, specifically the haversine formula or the cosine rule for sides, to determine the shortest distance between two points on a sphere. Solving for the initial great circle course and distance between these coordinates yields 7635 miles at an initial heading of 233.9°T.