Shaun Loc: Tucson, AZ

The Biosphere2 is an offshoot of the original Biosphere that was privately funded as a research facility to determine whether human life could be sustained on a planet without the Earth's atmosphere. It was funded originally for $25 million but due to all the complexities of constructing such a large structure that was airtight, the cost ballooned to $250 million. The original plan was to test the viability that humans could live in a sealed structure for a long period of time and be completely self sufficient. This meant they would have to provide their own oxygen, water, food etc. 8 crewmembers were chosen to spend 2 years in the facility completely sealed off from the outside atmosphere. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a scandal and the experiment was abandoned.

The property eventually ended up in the possession of the University of Arizona who are now using it and its ability to control the climate inside the domes as a means of extending life on earth by demonstrating what difference a change in temperature or rainfall or carbon dioxide in the air can have on life on earth. There are many facilities doing this type of research but this is the only one of its size and complexity. There are several different habitats such as a tropical rain forest, a coastal desert and an ocean that are separate from each other and the temperature and rainfall and CO2 level can be adjusted in each one.

The University offers tours of the facilities and I have to say the docents that conduct the tours are very knowledgeable and entertaining with their continuing commentary during the hour long tour. I would urge anyone who is visiting Southern Arizona to take a half day and visit this amazing group of structures.

Entry to grounds

(Download)

The pyramid

(Download)

the "lung" that keeps the air pressure consistent

(Download)

the tropical rain forest

(Download)

the coastal desert

(Download)

looking up at the pyramid

(Download)