Closure of National Solar Observatory explained

And it isn’t what anyone thought in previous speculations, which included aliens, strange celestial objects, NASA’s recent launch of a solar probe, or a mercury spill from the “float bearing” of the main telescope. No, it’s far worse than any of those things.

From KTSM-TV in El Paso:

By Aaron Bracamontes

A federal search warrant reveals that Sunspot Solar Observatory was shut down as FBI agents conducted computer forensic searches for child pornography.

The source of child pornography was traced to an IP address used at the observatory and a source within the building observed a computer with “not good” images on it, the warrant states.

An investigation by the FBI revealed that a janitor is the main suspect in the search, however he has not been charged with a crime even though his name is on the warrant.

The warrant states the suspect would use the observatory Wifi and a personal laptop to download the child pornography.

A limited number of people have access to the observatory from dusk until dawn, which helped narrow their search.

The observatory in the mountains of southern New Mexico had been closed since Sept. 6 because of an undisclosed security concern, but reopened on Monday.

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September 21, 2018 10:25 am

It looks as there is 98% consensus from the comments contributors that the BIF story is a FIB /sarc

Jim in Perth
September 21, 2018 11:08 am

“An investigation by the FBI revealed that a janitor is the main suspect in the search, however he has not been charged with a crime even though his name is on the warrant.”

Isn’t there always an investigation before a person is charged? Terrible writing by Mr. Bracamontes due to a lack of understanding of how a criminal investigation proceeds.

Dr. Strangelove
September 21, 2018 7:43 pm

It’s a cover up. She’s not a child. She’s an alien!

http://images3.imagebam.com/9c/7d/69/654439512826185.jpg

Dr. Strangelove
September 21, 2018 7:55 pm

It’s not porn. She’s an alien. Dan Aykroyd works there

comment image

stock
September 22, 2018 1:01 pm

Still odd. I mean, just arrest the guy.
Why the closure?
Why the black helicopters….sheesh, just drive up.

skeptic1
September 23, 2018 2:59 am

Really? Does anyone actually believe this?

September 24, 2018 11:11 am

I know this post is past expiration date, but this event (the closure of the observatory) is far more complicated than janitor-porn — in fact that story now seems to be only a cover story.