Mysterious observatory evacuation stirs alien conspiracy theories

https://www.cnet.com ^ | 12 Sep, 2018 | Eric Mack

[Beowulf9]

Reports that a Blackhawk helicopter and federal agents swooped in and inexplicably evacuated a remote part of New Mexico, including a prominent solar observatory, has some corners of the internet predictably atwitter about a possible alien coverup.

[House Atreides]

...What kind of “security issue” could it be? Any idea?
****************************************
MERCURY?

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2018/09/12/weird-fbi-closes-national-solar-observatory-over-mysterious-security-issue/

[saintgermaine]

Maybe the observatory managed to take a picture of another planet in the same,or close by field of view, What has been described by different sources, but so far there has not been any conclusive evidence. Needless to say, not a good idea to publicize it and keep it under wrap for as long as possible.

[House Atreides]

The link at post 41 states there are “several gallons” of mercury, there are actually 8 TO 10 METRIC TONS OF MERCURY. Talk about the potential for severe dangerous “spill”.

[JockoManning]

He’s scanning it.

[vladimir998]

“What does Art Bell have to say about it?”

No one’s been able to ask him since April 13th.

[mabarker1]

I may be wrong but I believe Quix has Passed away.

Checking The FR Memorial Wall.

BRB

[JockoManning]

Thought it might have some interesting bits but mostly thought it was a yawn. Sorry. The tons of mercury is interesting.

[Army Air Corps]

The mercury is used in an interesting float bearing for the telescope.

[doorgunner69]

From what I gathered, these were special spy stuff that used the highly elliptical orbit to stay over a spot on the ground for an extended time. OTOH, the flew low and fast on the back side of the orbit, which may have had tactical reasons. They also were not transmitting on the usual frequencies bands.

They were useful moving frequencies sources to test tracking function. Tracking the sun or Cassiopeia became somewhat mundane after a while. Satellites were much more fun as you could watch the antenna follow them.

[Windflier]

What does Art Bell have to say about it?

Art has gone 'west of the Rockies', permanently.

[Army Air Corps]

No, as I do not have a Netflix account.

[Windflier]

Did something happen to Quix?

Quix drew the zot several years ago.

It was around the same time a bunch of ex-freepers started that TrueBlue Something-or-other website/forum.

He wound up over there.

[Skepolitic]

Here’s an article that indicates the closure of the observatory and post office may be due to a spill of mercury (Hg) at the observatory.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2018/09/12/weird-fbi-closes-national-solar-observatory-over-mysterious-security-issue/

I had never heard of a large mercury spill being the cause of the shutdown of a major government facility ... until last month.

Mail in North Texas was not delivered for several days because of a spill of mercury. It was reported to have been ten gallons, which is an enormous quantity to be handled in a post office sorting facility.

Coincidence?

[JockoManning]

Right. But is tons of mercury a run-of-the-mill hazard or an unusual hazard?

[blueplum]

Blackhawks? not to worry. Worry when they send in the drones.

[Nifster]

Love the old school test pattern

Are they receiving?

[mabarker1]

[RJS1950]

Heh, that image exactly portrays what the fascist democrat party is demanding we do when we catch illegal aliens at our borders.

[Army Air Corps]

I would say that it is unusual.

[Pollard]

Trump sent them out there to downgrade Florence to cat 2