“In light of recent developments in the investigation, we have determined there is no risk to staff, and Sunspot Solar Observatory is transitioning back to regular operations as of September 17th,” the news release stated.
AURA did not specify the nature of the criminal activity.
The release stated AURA has been cooperating with a "law enforcement investigation of criminal activity" at Sacramento Peak — the mountaintop on which the observatory is located.
"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 statement read.
According to AURA, the decision to vacate was made due to difficulties in protecting personnel at the site and the need to quickly respond to the alleged threat.
“We recognize that the lack of communications while the facility was vacated was concerning and frustrating for some. 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,” the release stated.
The story of the closure quickly gained traction around the world and elicited numerous conspiracy theories.
The closure prompted numerous people to go to the observatory, some of whom sneaked in to shoot footage with handheld cameras or drones.
The facility brought in a private security firm on Sept. 13 to keep out unauthorized visitors, said a security guard at the site last week.
According to the news release, security will remain on site as the facility reopens.
“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 release stated.
The facility was evacuated on Thursday, Sept. 6, with no explanation offered to employees or residents. The FBI conducted the evacuation, with the Otero County Sherriff’s Department on hand for extra security.
Approximately 20 people, including researchers, maintenance workers, and residents of Sunspot, were evacuated, said Sunspot Solar Observatory Director and New Mexico State University astronomy professor R.T. James McAteer.
In statements since the closure, McAteer ruled out aliens or a mercury leak as reasons for the closure. All available data from the telescope will be available to the public in its unaltered form, he said.
The observatory, established in 1947, overlooks the Tularosa Basin — an expanse of desert that includes the city of Alamogordo, Holloman Air Force Base, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands National Monument and the site of the world’s first atomic bomb test.
AURA is a consortium of 46 US institutions and four international affiliates that operates astronomical observatories around the world.