Space observatory surrounded by alien conspiracies says it shut down because of a ‘threat’

Facility was raided by agents who descended from blackhawk helicopters and said very little to police

The Sunspot Solar Observatory, which has been at the centre of an alien conspiracy for weeks, has finally explained its mysterious shutdown.

Earlier this month, the New Mexico facility was raided by FBI agents who descended from blackhawk helicopters before evacuating the facility and shutting it down. It has been closed ever since.

Many conspiracy theorists had speculated that the observatory had been shut down because it had seen something it shouldn't: proof of alien life, for instance, or solar activity that suggested the sun could pose a threat to life on Earth. With very little information coming from the FBI or other officials, it was difficult to dispute that speculation.

Now it is returning to its usual operations and AURA – the astronomy research organisation that helps run the facility – has attempted to explain the closure. It still leaves a whole host of questions, since it did not explain the threat in any detail at all, but appeared to rule out the more extravagant and extraterrestrial theories.

"AURA has been cooperating with an on-going law enforcement investigation of criminal activity that occurred at Sacramento Peak," it said, in reference to the hill where part of 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."

It said that the unexplained threat was enough to force it to evacuate staff, because they couldn't be protected otherwise.

"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," it continued. "AURA determined that moving the small number of on-site staff and residents off the mountain was the most prudent and effective action to ensure their safety."

Astronomers at the facility will now be able to go back to their work, and people kicked out of their homes during the shutdown will be allowed to return. But there will continue to be substantial amounts of security as that return happens, it said.

"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."

And it also made clear that it was aware the silence and mystery around events had helped add to that speculation. But it said that it had no other choice.

"We recognise 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. That was a risk we could not take."