Ok I found this, take it for what it's worth:

Can’t stand the conspiracy theories being circulated on the internet right now about Sunspot. As a 15-year former resident of the observatory, I offer to you the following FACTS:

1) Although the observatory runs under the auspices of AURA (the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy), operations of the National Solar Observatory have long since CEASED on the telescope. Any current research operations are being funded and utilized by New Mexico State University. There is only minimal NSO staff employed working at the site now and their full time focus is in continuing shut down operations in Sunspot.

2) There are minimal residents of Sunspot anymore. For that matter there only remains one NSO maintenance employee and his family plus a handful of support staff from NMSU living in housing. Most housing was vacated by former NSO employees (myself included) more than a year ago (and in some cases 2-3 years ago).

3) Radio astronomy has never been a “focus” of research conducted in Sunspot. Current data from the Dunn Solar Tower (if any) belongs to NMSU.

4) AURA operates under the auspices of the National Science Foundation, a federal agency. Therefore any kind of “investigation” or threat would be considered Federal, thus the FBI.

5) Although there is a moderate “G2” geomagnetic storm being reported at present (see: www.spaceweather.com). This is NOT necessarily an anomaly. These storms happen. Which is also why solar astronomers study the Sun.

6) Solar science has successfully been conducted in Sunspot since 1949. There has not been a full-time resident NSO solar scientist at the observatory since early 2017.

7) The phones are not being answered in Sunspot because the site is VACATED. (No conspiracy theory there.)

8) Any Mercury “spill” would fall under the auspices of OSHA. Mercury used in the Dunn Solar Tower is housed in a sealed turret at the top of the telescope and is monitored.

9) You Tube, the Internet and other non-fact based hypotheses are not based on scientific thought. Check your sources people!

10) Rumors of “aliens,” “alien contact,” etc. are nothing but nonsense. Hell, we even circulated a few of these funnies just for the laugh.

11) Official information should be released from AURA directly.

12) Finally, I want to add that there are many former residents and employees of the National Solar Observatory that are just as “in the dark” as the regular public.

Making up disparaging comments about the science, the mission, and the community of Sunspot is not only repulsive but ignorant. We were once a proud little community with the best solar scientists in the world.

The contributions of Sunspot and the National Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak will continue to influence solar science for DECADES.

As the former President of the Sunspot Community, I will always be a PROUD Sunspotter and like others would like to know the cause of such a closure.

But I’m not willing to sit by and allow pseudoscience, and rumors tear down a legacy of scientific research. Please stop circulating non-verified FACT.

From a current employee's fb page:
[link to www.facebook.com (secure)]


His employment there is verifiable on a list someone posted of current employee's in this thread. His fb picture is the same one used on the employee list.