# SUNSPOT Observatory Mysteriously Evacuated **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 15, 2018, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunspot-observatory-mysteriously-evacuated/821385 "2018-09-15T13:10:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunspot-observatory-mysteriously-evacuated/821385/1 "2018-09-15T13:10:11Z")
A week ago, the FBI asked the director of the observatory to evacuate all personnel. No further explanations have been offered. Whatever is going on there, thankfully all personnel were evacuated safely. > **[A solar observatory in New Mexico is evacuated for a week and the FBI is...](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?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d0e637f45867)** > > A spokeswoman for the nonprofit that runs the facility labeled the disruption a “security issue,” offering no further detail, other than to say, “I can tell you it definitely wasn’t aliens.” The facility overlooks White Sands, so the most likely explanation is counter-espionage. But it’s hard to see why that would require evacuation. > **[Mysterious Evacuation Of Solar Observatory Overlooking White Sands Smells...](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/23582/mysterious-evacuation-of-solar-observatory-overlooking-white-sands-smells-like-espionage)** > > The bizarre incident has spurred outlandish theories, but based on what we know and the location, there are more plausible explanations. If this is a counter-espionage op, it’s a darn poor one. The FBI (or whoever is actually running it) failed to secure the site beyond a few pieces of tape at the entrance. An intrepid youtuber took a walk around the place, prompting security to be hired and placed at entry points. Drone footage has also been loaded on youtube. > **[Watch This Guy Go Up To The Mysteriously Evacuated Sunspot Observatory And...](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/23609/watch-this-guy-go-up-to-the-mysteriously-evacuated-sunspot-observatory-and-walk-all-around)** > > The Youtuber crossed the security tape and explored the deserted complex unimpeded, but now there are security guards at the property's entrance. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunspot-observatory-mysteriously-evacuated/821385/2 "2018-09-15T13:56:29Z")
Existing thread. [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=862259](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=862259) ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunspot-observatory-mysteriously-evacuated/821385/3 "2018-09-15T15:54:13Z")
Merge and lock requested. Please use the thread ftg linked. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunspot-observatory-mysteriously-evacuated/821385/4 "2018-09-15T17:49:57Z")
Since there have been no replies here I’ll just close it.