The New Mexico solar observatory, mysteriously closed, will reopen, although some questions remain

The organization in charge of the New Mexico solar observatory, which was mysteriously evacuated and closed for more than a week, attributed the closure to a threat posed by a suspect in a criminal investigation and said the facility would reopen Monday.

In a statement released Sunday, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy said that employees would return to work after "recent developments in the survey" convinced officials that it was not necessary There was no risk for the staff.

The association also provided for the first time details on why the observatory was to be closed, declaring in a statement that officials were cooperating in an investigation into criminal activity in the area and threatening the death penalty. safety of local staff and residents. "

[A solar observatory in New Mexico is evacuated for a week and the FBI is investigating. No one will say why.]

The sudden evacuation of the Sunspot National Solar Observatory in New Brunswick on September 6 sparked speculation online, fueled by reluctance by the authorities to provide information on the closure of the facility.

The local sheriff and those responsible for monitoring the observatory after closing said that even though they had been kept in the dark. FBI agents – who were at the scene during the evacuation – refused to say anything. Internet detectives wondered if the researchers had spotted something extraterrestrial, or if the solar telescope on the site had been hacked to spy on a range of nearby missile tests.

Roswell, MN – where the crash of a flying object in 1947 has generated so much interest that the city now houses a museum of UFOs – is about two and a half hours from the observatory.

The association's statement did not provide details about the nature of the criminal investigation, the suspect, or the developments that led to the conclusion that there was no risk. The association said it was working with a security service, in part because it was expecting more visitors in light of the mysterious closure. The site is normally open to the public.

"We recognize that the lack of communication during the vacancy of the facility was disturbing and frustrating for some," said the association. "However, our desire to provide additional information had to be weighed against the risk that, if it was widespread at the time, the news would alert the suspect and hinder the investigation of the police. It was a risk that we could not take.

An FBI spokeswoman declined to comment, and a spokeswoman for the association did not respond to messages asking for comments Sunday night. The sheriff of Otero County, Benny House, said Sunday night that she was not told why the facility was closed and that she was not aware of an investigation in the area or a person likely to pose a threat.

"I do not know anything about what they are talking about. They did not talk to us, "said House. "If there is a threat, I think I should know it. I am quite disappointed. "

The National Solar Observatory sits at over 9,000 feet in the Lincoln National Forest, in the southern part of New Mexico, and is part of a larger onsite astronomy facility. . The association's statement said the closure was partly based on "the logistical challenges associated with protecting staff in such a remote place". as the installation of sunspots remained closed.