# What is going on at the solar observatory? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 14, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353 "2018-09-14T18:50:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/21 "2018-09-15T20:39:28Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > This isn’t a new development. Why would it be relevant now? They are landing the Roswell saucer. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/22 "2018-09-16T00:21:37Z")
Let’s try this. Supposition one. The lab deals with toxic waste as a byproduct of its activities. Supposition two. The lab has been playing fast and loose with disposal requirements/paperwork and the EPA gets wind. Supposition three. The EPA orders the place to be raided, and is worried about potential contamination leaking to the surrounding area, like the town of Cloudfront. Would any mercury waste be generated in normal operation of the facility, from say the gigantic float bearing that the entire set of machinery comprising the optical path rests upon? Could the mercury be dimethylated through normal use—contamination with organic solvents or lubricants?—and thereby lead to a potential contamination hazard, a la Dr. Karen Wetterhahn? [Karen Wetterhahn - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Wetterhahn) It’s really bizarre that the lab’s been shut down this long. Is Kitt Peak still doing solar astronomy? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/23 "2018-09-16T00:34:16Z")
It’s a **SOLAR** observatory. What do they do at a solar observatory? Study the sun. Many of the oldest religions are oriented around the sun: > **[Solar deity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_deity)** > > A solar deity or sun deity is a deity who represents the Sun, or an aspect of it. Such deities are usually associated with power and strength. Solar deities and Sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms. The Sun is sometimes referred to by its Latin name Sol or by its Greek name Helios. The English word sun derives from Proto-Germanic \*sunnǭ. > Predynasty Egyptian beliefs attribute Atum as the Sun god and Horus as god of the sky and Sun. As the Old Kingdom the... What do you do when you find hard, scientific evidence for a Solar deity but live in a society oriented toward Christianity: **YOU COVER UP THE DISCOVERY!** ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/24 "2018-09-16T01:01:59Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Let’s try this. Supposition one. The lab deals with toxic waste as a byproduct of its activities. No, they do not. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/25 "2018-09-16T02:41:40Z")
Clearly the scientists at the facility have opened a new gate to the Upside Down. Better stock up on Eggos. ---
**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 16, 2018, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/26 "2018-09-16T09:33:36Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Let’s try this. Supposition one. The lab deals with toxic waste as a byproduct of its activities. Supposition two. The lab has been playing fast and loose with disposal requirements/paperwork and the EPA gets wind. Supposition three. The EPA orders the place to be raided, and is worried about potential contamination leaking to the surrounding area, like the town of Cloudfront. > > Would any mercury waste be generated in normal operation of the facility, from say the gigantic float bearing that the entire set of machinery comprising the optical path rests upon? Could the mercury be dimethylated through normal use—contamination with organic solvents or lubricants?—and thereby lead to a potential contamination hazard, a la Dr. Karen Wetterhahn? [Karen Wetterhahn - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Wetterhahn) > > It’s really bizarre that the lab’s been shut down this long. Is Kitt Peak still doing solar astronomy? Dr. R.T. James McAteer, the Director of the user’s consortium at SUNSPOT has stated that the problem is nothing to do with the mercury float. There is no spill or any concern of that sort. We’re not close, but I know him to be a reliable chap. > **[Here's what closed Sunspot Solar Observatory | Human World | EarthSky](https://earthsky.org/human-world/why-sunspot-solar-observatory-nm-closed-fbi/)** > > Federal court documents this week revealed an FBI investigation of a janitor suspected of using Sunspot Solar Observatory's internet connection to send and receive child pornography. ---
**Author:** ![EBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@EBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EBird)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/27 "2018-09-16T23:39:47Z")
[https://www.kvia.com/news/new-mexico/breaking-sunspot-solar-observatory-to-reopen-after-fbi-investigation/795918049](https://www.kvia.com/news/new-mexico/breaking-sunspot-solar-observatory-to-reopen-after-fbi-investigation/795918049) “The release also stated that the investigation involved a suspect who AURA officials believed posed a threat to the safety of staff and residents that live nearby.” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/28 "2018-09-17T01:18:10Z")
Thanks, Ebird. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/29 "2018-09-17T01:40:40Z")
Geez, everybody who has ever read a comic book, or seen a Bond Movie, knows what is going on. Step 1: Take over an observatory Step 2: Hijack a Satellite Step 3:Beam Death ray From observatory off of satellite blowing up Eiffel tower and large portion of Paris Step 4: Contact to U.N to demand ransom. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/30 "2018-09-17T01:44:54Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Geez, everybody who has ever read a comic book, or seen a Bond Movie, knows what is going on. > > Step 1: Take over an observatory > Step 2: Hijack a Satellite > Step 3:Beam Death ray From observatory off of satellite blowing up Eiffel tower and large portion of Paris > Step 4: Contact to U.N to demand ransom. One _million_ dollars!!! (Sorry, somebody had to.) ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/31 "2018-09-17T03:20:44Z")
I know a couple of solar physicists with some affiliation with the NSO and they assure me the reason for the closure is more mundane than any wild speculations. Though I don’t know for sure if they know the reason themselves. A few random thoughts & info: - The Sac Peak observatory is not exactly cutting edge. I believe the NSO (National Solar Observatory) has transferred ownership of the observatory (or about to do so) to a local university because all of NSO’s resources are now directed at their [new telescope](https://dkist.nso.edu/) in Hawaii. - Sac Peak is close to the White Sands Missile Range, but there are mountains that are closer. In particular, the overlook at San Augustin Pass, along US Route 70, has a great view of the range. Route 70 is a major road, there’s no way they’d close that road for long. - I hear the village at Sac Peak has a lot of abandoned/disused buildings because NSO is scaling down the operation there. So it may be an ideal hideout for nefarious groups. - The main telescope at Sac Peak has a mercury bearing system - i.e. a set of mirrors floating on top of gallons of liquid mercury. So a potential source of major contamination. Though I don’t see why they would keep that a secret. - Shutting down Sac Peak has very little impact on solar physics. They have done cutting edge research there in the past, but the capabilities are now duplicated in other observatories. And satellite observations are more important these days. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/32 "2018-09-17T03:25:23Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Let’s try this. Supposition one. The lab deals with toxic waste as a byproduct of its activities. Supposition two. The lab has been playing fast and loose with disposal requirements/paperwork and the EPA gets wind. Supposition three. The EPA orders the place to be raided, and is _ **worried** _ about potential contamination leaking to the surrounding area, like the town of Cloudfront. This EPA? If you’d said “brought in backhoes to bury the stuff”, you might have had me. > [@PastTense](#): > > It’s a **SOLAR** observatory. What do they do at a solar observatory? Study the sun. > > Many of the oldest religions are oriented around the sun: > [Solar deity - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_deity) > > What do you do when you find hard, scientific evidence for a Solar deity but live in a society oriented toward Christianity: **YOU COVER UP THE DISCOVERY!** Now THAT is a reasonable explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/33 "2018-09-17T22:33:57Z")
[Here’s](https://www.npr.org/2018/09/17/648804508/after-mysterious-closure-solar-observatory-in-new-mexico-reopens) the explanation, such as it is. > [@](#): > > "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.” Kinda boring. Too bad. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/34 "2018-09-17T23:41:33Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > [Here’s](https://www.npr.org/2018/09/17/648804508/after-mysterious-closure-solar-observatory-in-new-mexico-reopens) the explanation, such as it is. > > Kinda boring. Too bad. Unless the criminal activity was perpetrated by a SASQUATCH. We have no reason to assume they are law-abiding. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/35 "2018-09-18T02:27:37Z")
Hey!!! I had nothing to do with it… ---
**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 18, 2018, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/36 "2018-09-18T16:20:44Z")
It still seems very odd. Takes this bit: > [@](#): > > 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. So closing the place, having the FBI move in with a helicopter, etc. isn’t alerting the suspect that something is up??? And not working with local LE is due to … what exactly?? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/37 "2018-09-20T02:02:41Z")
From [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-mexico-observatory/new-mexico-observatory-closure-stemmed-from-fbi-child-porn-probe-documents-idUSKCN1M001P): > [@](#): > > The mysterious 11-day closure of a New Mexico solar observatory stemmed from an FBI investigation of a janitor suspected of using the facility’s wireless internet service to send and receive child pornography, federal court documents showed on Wednesday. Huh. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/38 "2018-09-20T02:14:11Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > From [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-mexico-observatory/new-mexico-observatory-closure-stemmed-from-fbi-child-porn-probe-documents-idUSKCN1M001P): > > Huh. Yep. And apparently [when he discovered his laptop was missin](https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/federal-search-warrant-debunks-theories-behind-sunspot-observatory-closure/1460424714)g, he started dropping hints about a serial killer in the area and lax security at the observatory. ---
**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 20, 2018, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/39 "2018-09-20T13:08:25Z")
So you have a part time employee involved in very skeevy activity, has mental issues, and is making threats and you _don’t_ work with the local sheriff. You know, the person in charge of LE _outside_ the lab. Where the guy lives and does most of his work. That’s some fine FBI work there, Lou. ---
**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 20, 2018, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353/40 "2018-09-20T14:40:44Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > So you have a part time employee involved in very skeevy activity, has mental issues, and is making threats and you _don’t_ work with the local sheriff. You know, the person in charge of LE _outside_ the lab. Where the guy lives and does most of his work. > > That’s some fine FBI work there, Lou. It’s a small rural town, and his parents owned the cleaning agency. Local law enforcement in such circumstances can be operating under pressures that outsiders have no way to understand. It can be impossible for them to act impartially. Or they might just be unwilling to do so. You can spend an extra six months to try and suss that out, while more children are being harmed, or you can call in the FBI and deal with the situation immediately. Also, the LE unit which will be supporting the prosecution generally wants to be the one collecting and protecting the evidence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-at-the-solar-observatory/821353.md?page=3)