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Sounds of Silence from Sunspot a continuing series of special reports by Dave Dooling Alamogordo Town News Science and Space Reporter
Both the U.S. Forest Service and the National Science Foundation are declining comment about ongoing work at Sunspot Solar Observatory.
In last week’s announcement that mercury has been removed from the Dunn Solar Telescope — and that it must be demolished because of decades of smaller leaks — both NSF and the Forest Service stated that “the Forest Service will continue to explore potential future opportunities that create public value and honor the site’s long-standing legacy. As ideas begin to take shape, the Lincoln National Forest plans to engage local partners and interested stakeholders to better understand community priorities and interests.”
Alamogordo Town News responded with several questions about a preliminary timeline for a contract and demolition, and whether new instruments that had been installed just before the leak had been removed.
“NSF declines comment,” was the response from media affairs specialist Cassandra Eichner. “We will issue additional updates as new information becomes available.”
A follow-up request not for an update but an explanation of a past decision — why Sunspot was not listed in the National Register of Historic Places — was ignored.
The Forest Service is equally reticent. ATN asked for details about which facilities might be available for repurposing, remediation before a new operator moves in, the comment period, and how it planned on communicating results to the public.
“All inquires on this topic can be submitted to NSF_Sac_Peak@nsf.gov,” was the anonymous answer. Past inquiries to that address have not been answered.
“Community organizations or individuals who would like to stay informed about future discussions are welcome to contact the Lincoln National Forest at ReImagineSunspotNM@usda.gov,” the joint announcement said. “NSF and the Forest Service will continue to provide updates as the remediation process moves forward.”
However, an ATN inquiry to that e-mail address has not been acknowledged, and NSF has only provided three updates: that the leak occurred, that the Dunn would be decommissioned, and the most recent announcements that the mercury was removed.
Sunspot Community Center has met with Cloudcorft, Alamogordo, and Oterio County commissions to brief them on possible repurposing Sunspot with options including dark skies “astrotourism” and a science education park addressing forestry and astronomy.
Note: Dave Dooling is a veteran areospace writer and educator who lives in High Rolls New Mexico. He is retired as the education director at the New Mexico Museum of Space history, and now runs The Traveling Gizmo Show.
More News from Alamogordo
- City Manager Stockwell and Others to Join Community Forum on Bonito Lake Fencing Proposal Tuesday at Otero Arts A panel discussion on the future of Bonito Lake Tuesday September 1st 6 pm Otero Arts
- Alamogordo Cross Country Teams Take Third at Centennial Meet Girls and boys squads each claim third-place finishes in Las Cruces; teams return to action September 12 at Ruidoso
