UPDATE: The New Mexico Observatory Officials say they closed/evacuated Sunspot due to an investigation into criminal activity in which “we became concerned that a suspect in the investigation potentially posed a threat to the safety of local staff and residents”

OUR PREVIOUS REPORT:

The temporary closure of a New Mexico observatory last week sparked wide-ranging theories, especially after reports that federal authorities were involved.

The Sunspot Solar Observatory, located near the Sacramento Mountains, closed over an unspecified security issue, the facility said in a statement posted to Facebook on Sunday.

Fox News’ Tucker Carlson questioned the mysterious, unexpected, and swift closing of the observatory by the FBI:

“AURA, which manages Sacramento Peak with funding from NSF (National Science Foundation), is working with the proper authorities on this issue. We have no further comment at this time.”

Otero County Sheriff Benny House told the Alamogordo Daily News last week the sheriff’s office was asked to stand by and mentioned that the FBI was involved.

“The FBI is refusing to tell us what’s going on,” House told the newspaper. “We’ve got people up there (at Sunspot) that requested us to standby while they evacuate it. Nobody would really elaborate on any of the circumstances as to why. The FBI was up there. What their purpose was nobody will say.”  – Fox News