New Mexico Solar Observatory to Reopen This Week Following Security Scare

The truth is still out there. 

A solar observatory in New Mexico that was abruptly shut down earlier this month by the FBI is set to reopen on Monday, officials said. 

Staff at the Sunspot Solar Observatory have been given the all-clear after a security threat shut down the observatory on Sept 6. the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) said in a statement Sunday.

"AURA has been cooperating with an on-going law enforcement investigation of criminal activity that occurred at Sacramento Peak. During this time, we became concerned that a suspect in the investigation potentially posed a threat to the safety of local staff and residents. For this reason, AURA temporarily vacated the facility and ceased science activities at this location. 

"In light of recent developments in the investigation, we have determined there is no risk to staff, and Sunspot Solar Observatory is transitioning back to regular operations as of September 17th. Given the significant amount of publicity the temporary closure has generated, and the consequent expectation of an unusual number of visitors to the site, we are temporarily engaging a security service while the facility returns to a normal working environment," the statement said.

The FBI has remained mum on specifics of the security threat at the observatory. The FBI referred all questions from the media to AURA. 

"We recognize that the lack of communications while the facility was vacated was concerning and frustrating for some. However, our desire to provide additional information had to be balanced against the risk that, if spread at the time, the news would alert the suspect and impede the law enforcement investigation. That was a risk we could not take," officials said.

Rumors and wild speculation were rampant in the weeks following the closing. Adding fuel to the rumor fire was the complete mystery surrounding the observatory's closure. Otero County Sheriff Benny House told the Almogordo Daily News that the sheriff's office was asked to assist with the closure. 

"The FBI is refusing to tell us what’s going on," House said. "We’ve got people up there  that requested us to standby while they evacuate it. Nobody would really elaborate on any of the circumstances as to why. The FBI were up there. What their purpose was nobody will say."

"But for the FBI to get involved that quick and be so secretive about it, there was a lot of stuff going on up there," House said. "There was a Blackhawk helicopter, a bunch of people around antennas and work crews on towers but nobody would tell us anything."

Employees were evacuated from the site with another dozen or so residents around the site were evacuated. The U.S. Postal Service decided to evacuate employees from their office there as well. 


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