A mysterious security problem forces a solar observatory to be evacuated

The sudden closure of the Solar Sunspot Observatory in New Mexico made everyone talk – everyone except the authorities.

The installation focuses on solar research and its telescope is one of the best solar ground observatories in the world. But on September 6, the observatory was evacuated because of a "security problem" and it remains closed and under investigation by the FBI.

However, government officials did not explain the problem clearly, which led to senseless speculation.

A popular theory circulating online is that extraterrestrials or UFOs could be the reason for concern. The observatory is about 85 miles southwest of Roswell, where a mysterious object crashed in 1947, launching decades of discussions on the wreckage.

Do not worry, according to the FBI, who told CNN's affiliate, KOAT, that extraterrestrial activity is not the problem.

Adding to the mystery, residents of the area were forced to evacuate without any explanation, reported KOAT.

"We were told that we had a credible threat through the FBI and to leave," said evacuee Sean Williams at the station.

CNN contacted the Otero County Sheriff's Office, but a spokesman said the office was not working with the FBI and could not provide any answers.

The FBI has forwarded CNN's request for comment to the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), which manages the observatory.

Although AURA provided no immediate response, the association issued the following statement:

"AURA is addressing a safety issue at the installation of the National Solar Observatory in Sacramento Peak, New Mexico, and has decided to temporarily leave the facility as a precautionary measure until further notice," reads in the press release.

"All other NSO facilities are open and functioning normally. AURA, which manages Sacramento Peak with funding from the National Science Foundation, is working with the relevant authorities on this issue. "