Well, this is weird...

[catbyte]

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

By Robert Moore and Matt Zapotosky

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.

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? Was the solar telescope hacked by a foreign power and deployed to spy on, say, the state’s missile testing range? Or is there an innocuous explanation, suppressed only because of corporate and government resistance to transparency?

On Friday, the entrance to the National Solar Observatory was blocked by yellow crime scene tape and two security guards, who said even they had been kept in the dark. The guards, from Red Rock Security & Patrol in Las Cruces, N.M., did not give their names but said it was the first day the company was guarding the entrance and that only the “director and an assistant” were allowed in. There was no obvious sign of law enforcement activity.

“We don’t know anything. We’re just as curious as anyone else,” one guard said.

snip.....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/a-solar-observatory-in-new-mexico-is-evacuated-for-a-week-and-the-fbi-is-investigating-no-one-will-say-why/2018/09/14/ea006a96-b78b-11e8-a2c5-3187f427e253_story.html?utm_term=.e86a65d29dba

[uppityperson]

1. They are open again, here's an update. Poor communicationalarm indeed

https://gizmodo.com/new-mexico-observatory-finally-gives-explanation-for-my-1829105554

....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 statement explains that AURA decided to evacuate the area because of “logistical challenges associated with protecting personnel at such a remote location, and the need for expeditious response to the potential threat.”

AURA has decided to re-open the facility and allow residents and staff to return to the area today.

The statement did not provide any further information on the “criminal activity,” but said, “recent developments in the investigation” led AURA to decide the staff is not at risk....

[catbyte]

2. Thanks for the update. I'll delete.

[uppityperson]

3. Keep it open, it's an interesting story.