The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Announces Decision to Close Sunspot Solar Observatory
In the article here, NSF has announced the closure of the Sunspot Solar Observatory. It will remain closed to the public indefinitely.
Following the January 5, 2026 discovery of liquid mercury on the platform inside the Dunn Solar Telescope, and the subsequent indentification of a leak originating from the main bearing, the U.S. National Science Foundation has determined that the most prudent course of action is to completely drain and remove the mercury from the site as soon as possible. This action, while necessary for safety and environmental reasons, will render the DST inoperable. At this time, and through the remediation of the DST, the visitor's center will remain closed to the public for safety purposes.
In order to ensure the safety of all workers, personnel and the public, Sunspot Observatory (including the Dunn Solar Telescope, the Visitor Center, the surrounding areas, and local hiking trails) is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC for the foreseeable future. We apologize for any inconvenience.
On the morning of January 5th, two NMSU staff members inside the Dunn Solar Telescope (DST) observed liquid mercury on the platform. Proper safety protocols were implemented immediately to ensure the safety of both on-site personnel. The DST, the surrounding observatory building, and visitor center will remain closed until further notice while appropriate remediation measures are implemented. There is no immediate concern for public or environmental safety, and the proper authorities have been notified.
An Overview Of Sunspot
Sunspot, New Mexico
Sunspot is an unincorporated community in the Sacramento Mountains in Otero County, New Mexico, United States. It is located within the Lincoln National Forest, 16 miles south of Cloudcroft, at an elevation of 9200 feet (2800 m). It was named after the nearby National Solar Observatory on Sacramento Peak. The sole road that drives into Sunspot is New Mexico State Road 6563, named for the brightest wavelength of hydrogen emission, H-alpha, one of the most important spectral lines in astrophysics. The night-time Apache Point Observatory and Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescope is about 1/2 mile from Sunspot, on an adjacent peak.
Drive through the Solar System
Sunspot Solar Observatory is dedicated to offering visitors an interactive experience, beginning with its Solar System Scale Model, which begins miles away from the Observatory grounds.
While driving through the town of Cloudcroft, and along NM 6563, keep an eye out for blue highway signs bearing the names of the planets. These signs are our scale model of the solar system. The scenic drive is a great way to illustrate the size of the solar system and the distance between the planets. It may surprise you just how close the Earth is to the Sun on this scale!
Given that it takes approximately 8 minutes, 20 seconds for light from the Sun to travel to Earth, the speed of light on this scale is only 3.24 mph. Driving the speed limit on the solar system scale means you are traveling approximately four times the speed of light!
At the Observatory
There is an admission fee for the museum and observatory grounds, which can be purchased inside the Visitor Center.
Sunspot Solar Observatory Consortium runs the Visitor Center and Dunn Solar Telescope, in collaboration with the NSO who runs the Sunspot site. The Dunn Solar Telescope is a one-of-a-kind solar telescope that produces some of the sharpest images of the Sun available in the world.
Would you like to support our observatory? Click below to make a contribution. We sincerely appreciate your generosity!