Comment: RT adds:

The mysterious and sudden closure of the National Solar Observatory in New Mexico is sending alien hunters into a frenzy as the facility remains shut without explanation.

The research institute in Sunspot was evacuated last Thursday along with a nearby United States Postal Service office for unexplained 'security reasons.'

A spokesperson for the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) which manages the observatory said the evacuation was a precautionary measure due to a security issue. "It was our decision to evacuate the facility," spokeswoman Shari Lifson added.

A statement made by the Otero County Sheriff, Benny House, to Alamogordo Daily News in the aftermath of the announcement has contributed to intense speculation around the incident, however. House said that they were asked to standby but given no further information.

"The FBI is refusing to tell us what's going on. We've got people up there (at Sunspot) that requested us to standby while they evacuate it. Nobody would really elaborate on any of the circumstances as to why. The FBI were up there. What their purpose was nobody will say."

The sheriff also claimed there was a Blackhawk helicopter at the site and work crews on towers and around antennas.

The mysterious circumstances of the building's closure has fueled a frenzy of speculation online as social media users wonder if aliens could be behind the 'cloak-and-dagger' operation.

It's unclear when the observatory and the post office will reopen. Postal workers have been temporarily transferred to the post office in Cloudcroft, a USPS official told ABC7.

The FBI has not responded to requests for comment on the matter, according to local media. However according to ABC7, the federal agency told Sheriff House that the evacuation order could remain in place for several days.

Sunspot is located in the Sacramento Mountains in Otero County about 15 miles south of the village Cloudcroft. There is currently a working telescope at the observatory, where New Mexico State University also conducts research.

From the Almagordo Daily News:

Otero County Sheriff Benny House said the Otero County Sheriff's Office was asked to standby.

"The FBI is refusing to tell us what's going on," House said. "We've got people up there (at Sunspot) that requested us to standby while they evacuate it. Nobody would really elaborate on any of the circumstances as to why. The FBI were up there. What their purpose was nobody will say."

He said he has a lot of unanswered question about what occurred at Sunspot.

"But for the FBI to get involved that quick and be so secretive about it, there was a lot of stuff going on up there," House said. "There was a Blackhawk helicopter, a bunch of people around antennas and work crews on towers but nobody would tell us anything."

The Daily News contacted the Albuquerque FBI spokesman seeking comment for this story, but telephone calls and messages were never returned.

House said he pulled his deputies from the facility after there was no identifiable threat.

"They wanted us up there to help evacuate but nobody would tell us anything," he said. "We went up there and everything was good. There was no threat. Nobody would identify any specific threat. We hung out for a little while then we left. No reason for us to be there. Nobody would tell us what we're supposed to be watching out for."

House said he doesn't understand why Sunspot didn't call or notify them of the situation.

"They're not federal employees," he said. "It maybe somebody who threatened one of their workers. If that's the case, why didn't call us and let us deal with it. These guys are regular workers that work for this company. I don't know why the FBI would get involved so quick and not tell us anything."

And finally: Adapt 2030 Ice Age Report: Blackhawk Choppers at Solar Observatory and 75% crop losses Australia

Comment: See also:

• Russia speculates space station leak could be deliberate sabotage
• Meteorite suspected of hitting ISS, causes oxygen-leaking crack
• Drill hole blunder not meteorite caused depressurization on Soyuz spacecraft

Comment: See also:

• Ramaphosa's South African land reform
• 'Panicking' white farmers putting land up for sale in South Africa - no buyers
• Trump: Pompeo to 'closely study' South Africa's land expropriations and the killing of white farmers

Comment: In response to Williams' immature tirade toward the Carlos Ramos, top tennis umpires are considering boycotting future tennis matches featuring Serena Williams and forming a union to fight against her sexism claims:

"There is a lot of unhappiness in the umpiring community because no one is standing up for officials," an anonymous senior umpire told the Guardian.

"Umpires keep asking: 'What if it was me in that chair on Saturday?' There is a widespread feeling that Carlos was hung out to dry for nearly 48 hours and that no one is standing up for officials."

What seems clear is the Serena Williams is a person who was used to the breaks going her way during tennis matches, and when that did not happen and she actually had to deal with an umpire ruling the game impartially, she responded like a 12-year-old responds when having their candy taken away from them.

For her, the umpire's ruling couldn't possibly be because she broke the rules, but because of a personal vendetta, sexism, racism, etc. That's the extent of her ability to understand the situation. Not only is she completely unable to read the situation accurately, but her behavior completely mortified Naomi Osaka, who instead of being able to celebrate winning a tennis Grand Slam has to deal with having the spotlight stolen by Serena Williams, who is not used to not having the spotlight on her. That shows a total lack of consideration, sportsmanship and maturity on Williams' part. She should be the one who is mortified, not Osaka.

Previously:

• Serena Williams' history of abusive behavior makes a mockery of her status as a role model
• 'YOU OWE ME!' Serena Williams loses it after she's caught cheating in US Open final defeat
• Bombshell leak reveals Williams tennis sisters and Rio Olympics gymnast heroine have been doping for years, with WADA's approval
• Censored: Australian cartoonist Mark Knight's Twitter account disappears amid Serena Williams 'racism' storm