Why is calibration necessary for geodetic instruments?

Calibration is essential for geodetic instruments to ensure precise measurements and maintain accuracy over time. Over time, instruments can drift away from their original settings due to various factors such as temperature variations, mechanical wear, and environmental influences. Calibration involves standardizing the instruments against known references or standards, which helps to compensate for these potential errors.

By routinely calibrating geodetic instruments, surveyors can confirm that their measurements remain reliable and accurate, which is crucial in applications such as mapping, construction, and land surveying. Inaccurate readings can lead to significant errors in geodetic work, so maintaining accuracy through calibration is a fundamental practice in the field.

While other options touch on important aspects of instrument use, they do not specifically address the central purpose of calibration, which is accuracy preservation.