December 31, 2002


Prof. Phil Goode
Big Bear Solar Observatory
40386 North Shore Lane
Big Bear City, CA 92314


Dear Prof. Goode:

	I am writing this letter to strongly support your proposed project
for a 1.6-meter New Solar Telescope (NST) at Big Bear Solar Observatory
(BBSO). My recommendations are based on the following reasons:

	(1) I visited BBSO a few times, and I believe that BBSO
has excellent seeing and weather condition. BBSO is an ideal site for new
larger solar telescopes. The open design will get rid of the dome seeing.
Huairou observing station of my observatory used domeless observing mode,
and we know its advantage.

	(2) The NST will take the advantage of the Adaptive Optics (AO)
system currently under development at BBSO. This will ensure diffraction
limited images. New imaging magnetograph systems in visible and near
infrared are perfect focal plan systems for NST which will obtain
cutting-edge scientific results, in particular, in the space weather
research.

	(3) The development of NST will benefit the design of 4-meter
Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST). In addition to the open
design, the off-axis design will also be used by ATST.  

	(4) BBSO has excellent reputation in first-class research and
training of graduate students. This project will further enhance the
research and education.

	In summary, I believe that the NST is an excellent project which
will benefit the solar physics research in US and in the world.


Guoxiang Ai
Director, National Astronomical Observatories of China
Member of Chinese Science Academy