Can an image be georeferenced to an unprojected coordinate system?

In geographic information systems (GIS), georeferencing involves aligning geographic data to a coordinate system so that the data accurately represents its location in the real world. When it comes to georeferencing images, particularly in the context of coordinate systems, it is essential to understand the role of projection.

An unprojected coordinate system, typically referred to as a geographic coordinate system (like latitude and longitude), doesn’t specify how the data is represented on the flat surface of a map. To create accurate spatial relationships and analyses, images need to be referenced in a projected coordinate system, which mathematically translates the spherical surface of the Earth to a flat surface, ensuring that distances, areas, and angles are preserved appropriately.

Using an unprojected coordinate system for georeferencing could lead to significant discrepancies in the accuracy and usability of the data. It can also complicate the integration with other spatial datasets that utilize a projected system, which is standard practice for most analytical tasks. Therefore, georeferencing an image effectively necessitates the use of a projected coordinate system to assure that the image aligns correctly with other spatial information and can be utilized accurately in mapping and analysis contexts.