Biosphere 2 Living Laboratory

Mount Lemmon can be seen in the background at the Biosphere sight. 

 The other day we went with Nick and Jackie  to Biosphere 2.  This is an "artificial materially-enclosed ecological system" in Oracle Arizona, 20 minutes north of Tucson.  If  you search back in your memory banks you may remember something about this.  I think of futuristic attempts at humans living on another planet or the moon and isolation experiments in relation to this.  In 1984 this property was bought by Space Biospheres Ventures and they began to construct the current facility in 1986. Human Missions 1 and 2 lasted from 1991 to 1994 with one session lasting 2 years.  Eight people, 4 men and 4 woman, lived in the Biosphere.  They had to provide for all their needs within the sphere.  Theoretically humans would be able to live in this environment for 100 years.  This experiment hit a wall when the CO 2 levels became dangerous and some people considered the experiment a failure.  But really it was not.  A lot was learned and scientific information gathered.  For more detailed information and explanations  google Biosphere 2 or go to this website.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2)

Of course we were wondering about Biosphere 1!  Duh, the earth itself is it.

5 areas called biomes are in the large glass section

This sight is now run by the University of Arizona and is an earth Scientist's dream.  Many experiments are still run here and it is a work in progress.  I thought it was funny that the people who lived here are referred to as "biosphereans." Somehow this adds to my impression of Arizona being an "other worldly" place.  From Jerome to the Vortexes of Sedona, Kitt Peak to Biosphere 2; we have encountered this theme.   Even the landscape gives you the feeling of being on another planet and references like this just add to the image.  

This was an interesting side trip but it was expensive.  It costs $20 each and you can do the tour and wander around in about 2 and 1/2 hours.  Being experienced tourists we have learned how to get "two-fers" thank goodness.  When we arrived at Voyager we bought a Passport Book which has 2 for 1 coupons for many attractions in Arizona.  We had a similar book when staying in Lakeland Florida.  

Ocean with coral reef, currently being re-furbished

Savannah grasslands

 Rainforest

Living quarters, kitchen, laundry etc. in this section with the South lung under the large lower dome

Fog Desert

Student Housing in Columbia University Days, now used for accommodations for people attending conferences here

Underground complex workings to keep the system going

Tunnel to the South Lung; yes a strange set up that kept air in the Biosphere