Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –Earlier this year, the National Science Foundation and the U.S Forest Service announced plans to demolish the Dunn Solar Telescope at Sacramento Peak Observatory, outside of Cloudcroft, after liquid mercury was discovered on a platform inside the Telescope. Currently, a regulated materials assessment is underway to identify lead-based paint, asbestos, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls inside the structure. The NSF said the results will guide how the agency works with the New Mexico Environment Department to dispose of the materials. The NSF said it committed up to $100,000 for an interpretive exhibit and or signage to preserve the observatory’s contributions to solar science.
