Here's another article, https://www.abqjournal.com/1219922/nm-solar-observatory-closed-authorities-mum.html
I can’t find any real details but an Air Force aircraft (I think an F-16) crashed at Holloman AFB on Friday which is just a few miles west of the observatory. Things are pretty quiet about the crash even to the extent of not offering any information concerning the pilot’s condition. There might be a tie there somewhere because the AFB also does a lot of work concerning space flight.
Channel 7 in Las Crusis, New Mexico carried the story but didn't shed any light as to the whys or wherefores. Her's aYoutube of that report:
Lots of online chattrer about the Sunspot incident but no real information as to what's going on in this remote area. I've been there. It is a six story tower with someunderground facilities. Just speculation from mercury spills to threats to a federal postal employees. Everyone carring the same story of this September 6 incident. Nothing new. FBI mum. https://www.alamogordonews.com/stor...udcroft-closed-due-security-issue/1227788002/
There seems to be all kinds of speculation about the reason for the closure, and nothing that sounds definite. One person mentioned that several other observatories in different areas of the world have also had their camera closed down, and for unknown reasons. Another showed a small news blurb that said the Chinese had been found using the cell towers near there for spying, which (if true) could explain the workmen that were seen by the sheriff when they were called up for the evacuation. For them not to explain anything to the local authorities, it must be something pretty important to our national security.
Yeah Yvonne, that is what I find curious. It apparently not just ONE solar observatory shut down, but many of them. To me, that says something is going on with or near the sun that the authorities want to keep quiet. The aurora has been very active lately, and many people are remarking how unusual it is to have spectacular auroral displays this early in the season when we are supposed to be nearing a solar minimum. Carrington-like event coming maybe?
Which is strange because about a month or so ago, NASA fired off an exploratory rocket to the sun. There was supposed to be some video released by now but thus far I haven’t seen anything sensational being thrown into the media.
Last thing I read was a public statement that said it was "security issues". No further explanation I know about.
@Yvonne Smith New Mexico observatory closed for security reasons to reopen today! In this Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, file photo, security guards are stationed at the entrance to the Sunspot Solar Observatory to turn away the visitors curious about the site's sudden closure, in Sunspot, N.M. The observatory, which has been closed since early September because of an undisclosed security concern, is now scheduled to reopen on Monday, Sept. 17, officials managing the facility said. (Dylan Taylor-Lehman/Alamogordo Daily News via AP, File)