National Solar Observatory, USPS office in Sunspot, NM evacuated for 'safety reasons'

a reply to: BigDave-AR

You are right. Nothing makes sense.

Maybe that is why we have not had a press conference yet. Even the feds can not come up with a plausible/false story that will not be shot full of holes.

a reply to: BigDave-AR

I think I have some possible insight on that. It looks like there’s a residential area on observatory grounds. My theory is that it was these homes that were affected. They are also behind the ‘gate’. I’ll see if I can locate a web copy of the grounds picture I’m looking at.

a reply to: BlueAjah

Pretty sure the evac was Friday morning, on the 7th.
At least according to the news articles.

originally posted by: caterpillage
a reply to: BlueAjah

Pretty sure the evac was Friday morning, on the 7th.
At least according to the news articles.
Their Facebook message says the 6th. So I don't know lol

a reply to: Fiscal

Couldn’t find it. I just uploaded my copy to Imgur:

m.imgur.com...

a reply to: Fiscal

The whole town of Sunspot was built around the observatory. Mostly residents and a post office. No stores or gas stations.

originally posted by: Fiscal
a reply to: BigDave-AR

I think I have some possible insight on that. It looks like there’s a residential area on observatory grounds. My theory is that it was these homes that were affected. They are also behind the ‘gate’. I’ll see if I can locate a web copy of the grounds picture I’m looking at.

But if it was a routine closing of the facility how could they evacuate residential properties? It seems to me they would have to have a declared emergency and or serious investigation going to legally deprive people of acsess to there property....
I would be pissed if someone tried to keep me out of my home over a facility closing....

a reply to: BlueAjah

Yep, about 80 folks according to census. The gate that was taped off is just ahead of the fire station as far as I can tell. That’s just my theory as to why the townspeople were evacuated—due to their location on the grounds.

a reply to: Fiscal

Yes, they were evacuated because of being close to the observatory.
But what is going on there that prompted the evacuation?

a reply to: BigDave-AR

Check that map, it’s almost setup like temporary residential on a military base—it makes me wonder if they (the residents) actually owned any property.

I also don’t believe it was a routine closure though.

a reply to: BlueAjah

Great question. I think that’s why we’re all here!

originally posted by: BlueAjah
a reply to: Fiscal

Yes, they were evacuated because of being close to the observatory.
But what is going on there that prompted the evacuation?

And how would you justify said evacuation with “yeah y’all need to leave with in15 minutes because we need to close that observatory today and you get no warning or say, so go ahead and freak out there’s totally nothing to worry about folks” I know the government has some balls but that seems flippant even for them...

a reply to: caterpillage

The National Solar Observatory in Sunspot New Mexico has been closed since last Thursday.

Thursday was the 6th.

www.kvia.com...

originally posted by: Fiscal
a reply to: BigDave-AR

Check that map, it’s almost setup like temporary residential on a military base—it makes me wonder if they (the residents) actually owned any property.

I also don’t believe it was a routine closure though.

Looks owned to me

www.realtor.com...

originally posted by: BigDave-AR

Then why evacuate civilian homes? Nothing adds up and it’s killing me!

I don't think they were exactly "civilian" home. Most likely owner by the observatory and used solely to house observatory employee and support people.

originally posted by: incoserv

originally posted by: BigDave-AR

Then why evacuate civilian homes? Nothing adds up and it’s killing me!

I don't think they were exactly "civilian" home. Most likely owner by the observatory and used solely to house observatory employee and support people.

The link I just posted tends to suggest otherwise....

a reply to: BigDave-AR

As far as I can tell, Crossroads is offsite based on the streets I’m looking at. The terrain on the picture also seems to be different from the terrain I’ve seen in observatory photos/videos.

Do we know if people that far out were evacuated or have we heard anything confirmed there?

originally posted by: Fiscal
a reply to: BigDave-AR

Check that map, it’s almost setup like temporary residential on a military base—it makes me wonder if they (the residents) actually owned any property.

I also don’t believe it was a routine closure though.

I'm certain it was all observatory property. Who would buy a house in Sunspot? It's not like it's a seller's market where when you work is finished and you move on you're good to put you place on the market and unload it.

a reply to: BigDave-AR

not on the site

Someone kind enough please throw some addresses at me and I'll run down county records for said properties to try to put ownership to bed....