In an optical system in air, the first and second nodal points coincide with which of the following points?

In an optical system, the nodal points are particularly important because they represent specific locations where light rays can pass through without converging or diverging within the system. In air, the first and second nodal points are coincident with the first and second principal points.

The first principal point is defined as the point that projects the incoming light rays so that they exit without any deviation, while the second principal point does the same for the outgoing rays after they have passed through the optical system. Since the nodal points coincide with these principal points, the answer reflects the fundamental relationship between these optical elements, illustrating that they serve a similar function in regard to light propagation.

Attributes such as the focal points, surfaces of the optical system, or the geometrical center do not coincide with both nodal points in the same way that the first and second principal points do, thereby solidifying choice D as the correct answer in this context.