Which term refers to the center point of an aerial photograph?

The term that refers to the center point of an aerial photograph is the principal point. The principal point is defined as the point in the photograph that represents the position of the camera’s optical center at the time the image was taken. It is crucial in photogrammetry and aerial mapping, as it serves as a reference for measurements and aligns the aerial image with ground control points. The accuracy of various measurements derived from the photograph depends on identifying the principal point correctly.

In aerial photography, the principal point is typically located at the intersection of the image's axes. This makes it foundational for creating accurate maps and for processes that rely on the geometric correction of images. The concept is vital for mapping and analysis tasks that involve the extraction of spatial information from aerial imagery.