Bezugpunkt

Bezugpunkt is a term used in German to denote a fixed point that serves as a basis for measurements, comparisons, or orientation. It provides a reference against which other quantities are defined or assessed. In science and engineering the Bezugpunkt often corresponds to the origin of a coordinate system or to a standard value used for calibration.

From Bezug (reference) and Punkt (point), the term denotes a fixed position that gives orientation to a set of measurements. The concept is inherently relative: numerical results depend on the chosen Bezugpunkt, while the physical phenomena do not.

In surveying and geodesy, a Bezugpunkt (also called Referenzpunkt) is a known position tied to geographic coordinates and elevation, used to determine other locations or heights. In navigation, astronomy, and photography, reference points help orient measurements, track motion, or fix composition. In metrology, a calibration baseline or standard can act as a Bezugpunkt for evaluating measurement accuracy.

Different disciplines may prefer synonyms such as Referenzpunkt or Nullpunkt for the origin or reference value, and the same object can serve as Bezugpunkt in one context but not in another. The key idea is stability: a reliable Bezugpunkt remains fixed relative to the system used.

See also: Referenzpunkt, Ursprung, Nullpunkt, Koordinatensystem, Kalibrierung.