The National Science Foundation says hazardous materials make demolition the safest option for the historic telescope in Sunspot, New Mexico
SUNSPOT, N.M. —
The historic Dunn Solar Telescope at Sacramento Peak Observatory in Sunspot, New Mexico, is scheduled for demolition in 2027 as part of a federal cleanup project.
The National Science Foundation said demolition is the safest and most efficient way to address the hazardous materials in the structure, including lead-based paint, asbestos, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls.
Contractors are expected to begin dismantling the telescope from the top down during the first quarter of fiscal year 2027. Demolition, cleanup and site restoration are scheduled to be completed in the second quarter.
Scientific instruments and equipment that can be safely removed and decontaminated may be preserved for research or educational use.
Dedicated in 1969 and renamed for designer Richard B. Dunn in 1998, the telescope pioneered a vacuum design that influenced later solar observatories. The NSF has committed up to $100,000 for an exhibit or signage honoring its scientific legacy.
The agency also plans to remove the observatory’s remaining structures and complete restoration of the site in fiscal year 2028. The Forest Service will then explore potential future uses for the property.
