Showing posts with label Evacuated. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evacuated. Show all posts

Sunday, September 23, 2018

AURA Statement: 'Criminal Activity' Forced Closure of Sunspot Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak, New Mexico

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Sunspot Solar Observatory

Sunspot Solar Observatory is transitioning
back to regular operations as of September 17th

     On September 6th, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) made the decision to temporarily vacate the Sunspot Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak, New Mexico as
By aura-astronomy.org
9-16-18
a precautionary measure while addressing a security issue. The facility closed down in an orderly fashion and is now re-opening. The residents that vacated their homes will be returning to the site, and all employees will return to work this week.

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.

The decision to vacate was based on the logistical challenges associated with protecting personnel at such a remote location, and the need for expeditious response to the potential threat. AURA determined that moving the small number of on-site staff and residents off the mountain was the most prudent and effective action to ensure their safety.

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.

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.
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Why Talk of Aliens was Sparked by Mysterious Closure of Solar Observatory

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Why Talk of Aliens was Sparked by Mysterious Closure of Solar Observatory
Mysterious goings-on at a New Mexico solar observatory have been hot news. Had astronomers found a lethal solar flare, or even signs of alien life?
     Out-of-this-world explanations got lots of traction when New Mexico facility suddenly shut down.

For the past two weeks, mysterious goings-on at a New Mexico
By Seth Shostak
www.seti.org
9-21-18
solar observatory have been hot news. On Sept. 6, the Sunspot facility on Sacramento Peak in the southern part of the state was strung with yellow tape, and employees were sent home. This set off alarm bells across the Internet: Had astronomers found a lethal solar flare, or even signs of alien life? And was there a government cover-up?

After days of rampant speculation, authorities finally fessed up and explained the situation as a “security issue.” They offered scant details but indicated that there had been a threat to people on the peak and that secrecy was necessary.
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Monday, September 17, 2018

Solar Observatory Shut Down: Did Researchers Spot Extraterrestrials?

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National Solar Observatory - New Mexico
The National Solar Observatory in Sunspot, N.M. The facility has been closed since it was evacuated on Sept. 6. In a state known for secretive military testing and a suspected UFO crash, the incident has spawned a great deal of speculation.
A solar observatory in New Mexico is evacuated for
a week and the FBI is investigating. No one will say why.
     SUNSPOT, N.M. — At a small solar observatory tucked away in the woods of a national forest here, scientists and other personnel were commanded last week to leave at once. A week later, the facility remains vacant, and no one is willing to say why.
By Robert Moore & Matt Zapotosky
The Washington Post
9-14-18

The mysterious and lengthy evacuation, in a state known for secretive military testing and a suspected UFO crash, has spawned a wealth of speculation.

Did the researchers spot something extraterrestrial? ...
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Mysterious Evacuation Of Solar Observatory ... Espionage?

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National Solar Observatory - New Mexico
The bizarre incident has spurred outlandish theories, but based on what we know and the location, there are more plausible explanations.
     A bizarre, unexplained situation has unfolded in and around the tiny enclave of Sunspot, New Mexico. A week after U.S. federal government officials ordered the evacuation of the National Solar Observatory facility there, as well as a nearby post office, the first site remains closed due to a “security issue” and no one can or will say what it is.
By Tyler Rogoway and Joseph Trevithick
The Drive
9-13-18

Members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and potentially other federal government agencies, arrived in Sunspot on or about Sept. 7, 2018, at which point they ordered everyone out of the National Solar Observatory site, which is technically at Sacramento Peak, situated above the tiny town. They also told the clerk in the Sunsport Post Office to evacuate.
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