Step 1 :The latitude closest to the equator at which the total eclipse will be visible is the minimum value of the function \(f(t)\). Since \(f(t)\) is a quadratic function, its graph is a parabola.
Step 2 :The minimum value of a parabola with a positive leading coefficient (like this one, where the leading coefficient is 0.00301) occurs at its vertex.
Step 3 :The \(t\)-coordinate of the vertex of a parabola given by \(f(t) = at^2 + bt + c\) is \(-\frac{b}{2a}\).
Step 4 :So, we need to substitute \(a = 0.00301\) and \(b = -0.497\) into this formula to find the time at which the minimum latitude occurs.
Step 5 :Then we substitute this time into the function \(f(t)\) to find the minimum latitude.
Step 6 :Final Answer: The latitude closest to the equator at which the total eclipse will be visible is \(\boxed{19.15}^{\circ} \mathrm{S}\).