On the western side of the Sacramento peak,[5] there are wide open views of Apache Point Observatory and Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescopes. Last Thursday, the National Solar Observatory in Sunspot, New Mexico was closed to the public and evacuated for reasons that remain unclear. The observation room for the Dunn Solar Telescope is open for tours on select days and times. The Sunspot telescope facility is in the Sacramento Mountains, approximately 18 miles (29km) south of Cloudcroft. AIA 0171. It was later known as the Sacramento Peak Observatory, and as one site of the National Solar Observatory (NSO). As of today, September 13, 2018, the observatory remains closed. The 71-year-old, 9,200-foot-elevation observatory on Sacramento Peak is America's national center for ground-based solar physics. Sunspot Solar Observatory Sunspot Solar Observatory NMSU is leading a consortium of universities to continue operations of the Dunn Solar Telescope at the Sunspot Solar Observatory. We recognize that the lack of communications while the facility was vacated was concerning and frustrating for some. The Dunn Solar Telescope a one-of-a-kind solar telescope that produces some of the sharpest images of the Sun available in the world. The Sunspot Astronomy and Visitor Center provides an interactive astronomical experience through activities, displays, and informational exhibits. He has also written for Universe Today and SpaceFlight Insider, and has also been published in The Mars Quarterly and has done supplementary writing for the well-known iOS app Exoplanet for iPhone and iPad. Don't stare into the sun! While interested in all aspects of space exploration, his primary passion is planetary science. Sunspot Solar Observatory is part of the National Solar Observatory network and is maintained by AURA. The sunspot image inset is about 11,300 miles square, or 18,125 kilometers. Located at the end of the Sunspot Scenic By-way (NM6563) is the Sunspot and Apache Point Observatories and the Sunspot Visitor Center. Conspiracy theories have ranged from an impending major solar flare event to aliens. Theories have ranged from a mercury storage leak to alien contact. Learn More We Inspire The National Solar Observatory is a data-driven research institution dedicated to providing scientists with critical information needed to drive new research. They appear dark because they are cooler than other parts of the Sun's surface. Sunspot Solar Observatory Closure Finally Explained, And It Wasn't Aliens - Or So They Want You To Believe Aaron Homer September 17, 2018 The reason for the sudden closure two weeks ago of New Mexico's Sunspot Solar Observatory has been revealed - sort of - and, perhaps disappointingly, it wasn't because of aliens. AIA 0193. The telescope tube sits at the top of a tall, narrow tower, with an entrance window 136 feet above the ground. Regions of intense magnetic fields on the sun, known as sunspots, can release explosions of energy such as . These . Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. As the name suggests, this telescope was previously deployed in the Antarctic. Similar to Climax, the atmosphere above the new site should be exceptionally free from haze and dust in order to permit for the best possible observing. AIA 0304. -sunspots SUNSPOTS-- By April 1948, the Committee on Geophysical Sciences (then within the War Department's Research and Development Board) formally accepted this recommendation and a contract was written, mandating the Air Force to complete the observatory. Sunspot Solar Observatory, top, on Sacramento Peak near Sunspot, New Mexico. He started his blog The Meridiani Journal in 2005, which was a chronicle of planetary exploration. Follow us on Twitter @SunspotSolarObs and Instagram. Further inquiries and inspection tended to confirm this initial reaction". Home (current) Mission . 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. AIA . The observatory has been closed and residents and staff have been asked to stay off the mountain since September 6. Suddenly the field of solar astronomy became an appealing goal for both astronomers and the military.[2][3]. United States. Sunspot, an aptly named community in southwestern New Mexico, is home to two major astronomical observatories. The Visitor Center is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm for daytime visitors. It is split between operations at the telescope facility at Sunspot, New Mexico and data and management at the Department of Astronomy at New Mexico State University. House wants to know why the FBI had local law authorities help with the evacuation, but refused to tell them what it was about: They wanted us up there to help evacuate but nobody would tell us anything. The entire telescope measures more than 300 feet long and is enclosed in a vacuum tube, which prevents the suns heat from causing turbulence that could affect the telescopes output. It was associated with both Harvard College Observatory and the University of Colorado and was incorporated in 1946. The scatter plot showing the comparison of the daily sunspot area, panels (A-C); and monthly averaged sunspot area, panels (D-F) with M2020 for 1904-1920, 2012-2017 and for the extended period of . Because the IP address led back to Sunspot, though, this activity wasn't actually New Mexico's concern: Sunspot is a federal facility. It is located within the Lincoln National Forest, 16 miles south of Cloudcroft, at an elevation of 9200 feet (2800 m). [4] Cook's companions soon returned home, leaving Cook and his dog Rocky to man the site. A new article by Dylan Taylor-Lehman at Narratively investigated the . The Center is operated by New Mexico State University through support from the state of New Mexico and provides guided tours of the site and the telescope for the public on Saturday and Sunday. Explore the largest pure gypsum deposit in the world, and go dune sledding while you're at it. Your email address will only be used for EarthSky content. It was our decision to evacuate the facility. Something went wrong while submitting the form. AIA 0131. A planet-hunting astrograph built in the 1920s to seek out the so-called "Planet X" beyond Uranus. There is no Uranus sign because people keep stealing it! Buried beneath the New Mexico sands are believed to be millions of copies of Atari's E.T. It's managed by the Association of Universities for Research in. On KVIA, Shari Lifson, spokeswoman forthe Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) stated: We have decided to temporarily vacate this facility as a precautionary measure. The Sunspot Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak was shut for 11 days for "a security issue," and its closure drew cheeky speculation that authorities were investigating the presence of UFOs. The visitor center has nice restrooms, a small museum and an unfriendly lady worker inside. The residents that vacated their homes will be returning to the site, and all employees will return to work this week. We havent been told why or when that expires. ALSO DON'T MISS : Outreach Spotlight; According to Rod Spurgeon, a spokesman with USPS: Right now, what were told is that theyve temporarily evacuated the area. Nobody would tell us what were supposed to be watching out for. But would a mercury spill require the FBI to be involved? Sunspot Solar Observatory has just nine people working onsite these days. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). AIA 0211. Science news, great photos, sky alerts. The FBI were up there. They "concluded that the section of the Sacramento Mountains in which Sacramento Peak is located would be especially promising for a solar research site. In1940, the High Altitude Observatory (HAO) had been established in Climax, Colorado, specifically to study the sun. This was reported to be for security reasons, but no details were provided, and still havent been at the time of this writing. There was a Blackhawk helicopter, a bunch of people around antennas and work crews on towers but nobody would tell us anything. Established by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) via a Memorandum of Agreement with the USFS in 1950, the facility was transferred to NSF in 1976. 2022 Atlas Obscura. An image of active regions on the Sun from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. For this reason, AURA temporarily vacated the facility and ceased science activities at this location. In 1966, construction began on a new kind of telescope, one specially designed to capture high-resolution images of the sun. The Sun Now. Sunspot Solar Observatory is part of theNational Solar Observatorynetwork and is maintained by AURA. Located at the end of the Sunspot Scenic By-way (NM6563) is the Sunspot and Apache Point Observatories and the Sunspot Visitor Center. The statement said Sunspot Solar Observatory will transition back to regular operations as of Monday, September 17. The ~250 acres (100ha) area is located on National Forest Service lands, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Lincoln National Forest, and the Sacramento Ranger District. A new article on The War Zone makes the case for espionage. The other two Dome buildings (Hilltop Dome 1963, Grain Bin Dome 1950) are not used for research. All rights reserved. Access to the facility telescopes and grounds are open for to the public for guided tours. Oops! The origins of Sunspot as a Solar Observatory date back to the sudden increased interest of solar physics to the US military during the Second World War. Image credit: NASA/SDO/AIA Sunspots Sunspots are areas that appear dark on the surface of the Sun. . NSF and the USFS executed a land use agreement (1980) to formalize this transfer and the continued use of the land for the NSO. From the overlook beside the telescope, White Sands National Park stands out as gypsum white [6] against the sandy background of the desert. Nobody would identify any specific threat. In the meantime, the rumor mill will continue to churn. Sunspot Solar Observatory Visit Located at an altitude of 9200 ft in the scenic Lincoln National Forest, Sunspot Solar Observatory is home to gorgeous vistas, historical landmarks, and one of the largest active solar telescopes in the world. An Antarctic Mount telescope is situated beside the Visitor's Center on site and provides a light feed into the Visitor's Center. But researchers soon realized that the remote site was blanketed in clouds nearly every afternoon in the winter months. Solar Dynamics Observatory. sunspots : spaceweather : estimated Kp : solar wind. They can spawn eruptive disturbances such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). DOY:310 14:46 UT: Speed: 391.5 km/s Density: 3.53 p/cm 3: best of soho: images. 69 were here. Sunspot is located on Sacramento Peak Lincoln National Forest specifically, in Otero County. The Sunspot telescope facility is located in Sunspot, New Mexico, and is part of the Lincoln National Forest on the western edge of the Sacramento Mountains. So, I called our people up and asked them to leave in a very sensible and calm manner and locked everything up. It is also, unsurprisingly, making the rounds in various conspiracy forums. Join a walking tour of the Sunspot Solar Observatory. See. Once the world's most modern observatory, this building is now a private school. website belongs to an official government organization in the AIA 0335. She also added, for Alamogordo Daily News: The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy who manages the facility is addressing a security issue at this time. It was the FBI's domain. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. The observatory uses the Dunn Solar Telescope, which takes some of the highest-resolution images and other data of the sun anywhere in the world. Given the significant amount of publicity the temporary closure has generated, and the consequent expectation of an unusual number of visitors to the site, we are temporarily engaging a security service while the facility returns to a normal working environment. The Sunspot Solar Observatory (SSO) is an astronomical observatory designed for the study of the Sun. Sunspot Solar Observatory and Apache Point Observatory sit on Sacramento Peak at an elevation of 9,200 feet (2800 meters), high enough to give telescopes a clearer view of objects in space by reducing interference from airborne particles called aerosols. In 1940, the High Altitude Observatory (HAO) was established in 1940 in Climax, Colorado, by Walter Orr Roberts and Donald Menzel. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Roberts worked with the Bureau of Standards, "forecasting radio conditions on the basis of solar observations". "History of HAO, Walter Orr Roberts, Sun Research, National Center for Atmospheric Research", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sunspot_Solar_Observatory&oldid=1086539029, This page was last edited on 6 May 2022, at 19:39. on official, secure websites. One of the largest refracting telescopes in the world, and the first built specifically for studying astrophysics. Sunspot Solar Observatory . Weve got people up there (at Sunspot) that requested us to stand by while they evacuate it. Aggie One Stop; Phonebook; Campus Map; Campuses; Campus Calendars & Events; Library; Canvas; Email; myNMSU; NMSU LEADS 2025; Sunspot Solar Observatory. Paul Scott Anderson has had a passion for space exploration that began when he was a child when he watched Carl Sagans Cosmos. We have decided to vacate the facility at this time as precautionary measure. The observatory uses the Dunn Solar Telescope, which takes some of the. The practical applications for solar research, as discovered by the military during World War II, regarding the impact solar activity had on radio communication spurred the US Congress to provide for a military-funded observatory. Located at an altitude of 9200 ft in the scenic Lincoln National Forest, Sunspot Solar Observatory is home to gorgeous vistas, historical landmarks, and one of the largest active solar telescopes in the world. Sunspot Solar Observatory Skip to main content. At an elevation of 9,186 feet, you will have an excellent view of the Tularosa Basin and White Sands. Officials explain why they closed #SunspotObservatory (without implicating aliens): https://t.co/nRKDmc6dlz H/T @AURADC @NSF cc: @Synergy3k @XFilesNews #TrustNoOne ? It's not hard to see why the 2018 evacuation of the Sunspot Solar Observatory near Alamogordo, New Mexico has gotten lodged in the minds of so many and spawned more than a few conspiracy theories. So they set out to build another solar observatory in a location with complementary weather conditions. With the excitement this closure has generated, we hope you will come and visit us when we do reopen, and see for yourself the services we provide for science and public outreach in heliophysics. As Lifson told Alamogordo Daily News: So what actually happened? Bottom line: Sunspot Solar Observatory will re-open, beginning September 17, 2018. We hung out for a little while then we left. FBI agents in Blackhawk helicopters swoop on the Sunspot Solar Observatory in New Mexico and close the facility down for ten days. The facility closed down in an orderly fashion and is now re-opening. At the time it was the world's highest permanent observatory for astronomy, at an elevation of over 11,000 feet, and was designed purely for studying the Sun. The AURA statement said: On September 7, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) made the decision to temporarily vacate the Sunspot Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak, New Mexico, as a precautionary measure while addressing a security issue. What makes this intriguing is the reported involvement of the FBI. The specifics of the contract called for "the preparation of detailed plans for an integrated solar research facility, which would combine observational, analytical, and data-reduction activities, all on a larger scale than at any comparable observatory; design, development, and fabrication of the required optical device; and concurrently, theoretical studies of solar structure and characteristics"[1]. "Further, there were only four sunspots on the Sun, all of which had stable magnetic fields that were unlikely to explode. Visit the Observatory History We innovate on the telescopes, optics and technologies to give the clearest, most in-depth picture of our closest star, the Sun. The visitor center and museum is open 9 am to 5 pm. Sunspot is an unincorporated community in the Sacramento Mountains in Otero County, New Mexico, United States. UPDATE SEPTEMBER 16, 2018: The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) issued the following statement about the status of the Sunspot Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak, New Mexico. The observatory is also fairly close to Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range, lending credibility to that possibility. During World War II, there was a growing interest in studying solar activity like sunspots and solar flares. Visitors are not permitted on observatory grounds after PM unless attending a special event held at the Visitor Center. At least, that's what they . 3001 Visitor Center Rd Drive,Sunspot, NM 88349, 2022 New Mexico State University - Board of Regents. Suggest an Edit NM 6563/Sunspot Hwy Phone 575-434-7190 At the observatory and in the tiny self-contained village of Sunspot, populated by SSO researchers and employees, people ordinarily go about their business with little fanfare. This is the Dunn Solar Telescope of the Sunspot Solar Observatory (SSO), a facility dedicated to studying the Sun. UPDATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2018. Weve been out of there since Thursday morning. We have a very regular maintenance routine. Thats a completely different set of protocols that would not have involved them locking all the doors. According to a report from local television station KVIA, the Postal Service was told of the evacuation first and given no further information. According to a warrant application, which was filed last week and unsealed a few days ago, the FBI was examining the observatory - but not for the . [1] Such studies of the upper atmosphere were critical for predicting conditions for radio communication, guided missiles, and supersonic aircraft and, as a result, solar observations "became essential to the war effort". Self-guided tours are available during other times. This spot directly overlooks the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park in the valley down below. FBI records obtained by Reuters said that the Sunspot Solar Observatory, part of the National Solar Observatory on Sacramento Peak, was shut down due to criminal activity, specifically a. By the end of 1947, Menzel and Roberts made the recommendation that Sacramento Peak be chosen as the solar research site for USAF. A scale model of our solar system, with signs noting the location of each planet (or former planet), begins with Pluto at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, continues along NM 6563 and ends with the sun at the observatory. In 2018, all scientific research and public outreach at the telescope facility was taken over by the Sunspot Solar Observatory and AURA remain the operator of infrastructure on the site, including maintenance. AIA 1600. STUFF OF LEGEND. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. If you are in Cloudcroft, the beauty of the ride to Sunspot and a nice short walk through Sunspot is certainly worth 2 hours of time. Located at an altitude of 9,200 feet in the Lincoln National Forest, the Sunspot Solar Observatory is home to one of the largest active solar telescopes in the world: the Richard B. Dunn. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. A daily update by email. A NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) image of the sun taken on September 13, 2022. A mountaintop space observatory that is certified dark. While in school he was known for his passion for space exploration and astronomy. The small museum is a must do. Offer subject to change without notice. The flagship telescope at the Sacramento Peak Observatory is the Richard B. Dunn Solar Telescope (DST), previously known as the Vacuum Tower Telescope. 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. Learn about the history surrounding the observatory, its establishment in 1947, the various historic telescopes on the site, the community of Sunspot, and the future of the site as we move forward into the future. Learn More We Provide The Sunspot Solar Observatory continues to work closely with AURA in order to allow for us to reopen as soon as possible. SHERIFF OUT OF THE LOOP. after midnight UTC on October 29 after Earth entered the solar wind stream flowing from the merry hole in the solar atmosphere. These images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft compare sunspots on the Sun's surface (top row) and ultraviolet light radiating from the solar atmosphere (bottom row) at the last solar maximum (2000, left column) and at the current solar minimum (2009, right column.) Roberts and Menzel examined the White Sands Proving Ground (an area used as a research rocket firing range near Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico). In 2011, he started writing about space on a freelance basis, and now currently writes for AmericaSpace and Futurism (part of Vocal). ORIGINAL STORY BEGINS HERE: Everyone loves a good mystery, and there is a very curious one happening in New Mexico right now. The incident has, of course, generated a lot of speculation as to what is going on, but with few details available, it is difficult to say anything for certain. A small crew of 5 made the initial camp at the Sunspot site. It was named after the nearby National Solar Observatory on Sacramento Peak. Enjoy the ride to and from and learn more about the Solar System and the work being done at the Observatories. In 1947, a location in the Sacramento Mountains was selected, and the Sunspot Solar Observatory was born. The Sacramento Peak Observatory was conceived as a complementary telescope to the existing facilities in Climax, as Roberts had realized that "there were long periods of cloudiness, especially during the winter, when it was not possible to make observations",[3] and hence a second dedicated solar observatory should be established. This place is located in the middle of the Lincoln National Forest, and is a really nice drive from Cloudcroft. Tweets by MissionSoho . See https://bit.ly/3E2yWKV.) The Sunspot Solar Observatory (SSO) is an astronomical observatory designed for the study of the Sun.The observatory is operated by New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the National Solar Observatory (NSO). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( The High Altitude Observatory (HAO) at National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) would like to honor Charlie's life with the following . 3463 Las Palomas American International Rattlesnake Museum. connected to the .gov website. The sunspot images were captured by the Michelson . The overlook can also be used for viewing rocket launches from White Sands Missile Range. And were working with the proper authorities on this issue. A government reticent to comment on anything. That was a risk we could not take. Sunspot Solar Observatory Consortium now runs the Sunspot Visitors Center and Dunn Solar Telescope, in collaboration with NSO. The town of Sunspot itself is very small, and all 12-15 residents were evacuated, as well as four employees at the observatory, five or six employees of AURA and employees of the post office (number unknown). Thu, Nov 3 2022. The visitors center is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the summer months. Read more from Reuters. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. 575-434-7200, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lincoln/recreation/outdoorlearning/recarea/?recid=34236&actid=120, Three Rivers Campground and Nearby Trails Closed. In 2015, the blog was renamed as Planetaria. Enjoy the ride to and from and learn more about the Solar System and the work being done at the Observatories. Toggle navigation Menu | Quick Links . Apache Point Observatory is about 1 mile from Sunspot and is worth a . There is a celebration of his life on Saturday, November 5, 2022 in Hilo, HI. "We were told on September 6th that we would be evacuated . SDO is designed to help us understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously. Located at an altitude of 9,200 feet in the Lincoln National Forest, the Sunspot Solar Observatory is home to one of the largest active solar telescopes in the world: theRichard B. Dunn Solar Telescope. This intriguing is the Sunspot and is a very curious one happening in New State! 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