AZ Trip #32:Biosphere II in the Arizona Desert (part 1)

Rob and Dan walking through Biosphere 2

In today's Arizona blog, (and we're nearing the last of them), we'll explore the Biosphere 2, out in the desert outside of Tucson, Arizona. Imagine being locked into an environment with 7 others for 2 years and trying to survive... in addition to work. That's exactly what happened when the Biosphere 2 was built. Read on! 

Biosphere 2

WHAT IS BIOSPHERE 2? -  Biosphere 2 was the largest completely sealed environment ever built. Its themed environments, or “biomes,” include living examples of the rainforest, the ocean, tropical wetlands, savannah grasslands, and a coastal fog desert. The original Biosphere is our own planet Earth.

WHAT IS THE BIOSPHERE 2? - Biosphere 2 is an American Earth system science research facility located in Oracle, Arizona. It was originally constructed between 1987 and 1991, and has been owned by the University of Arizona since 2011.

The 8 people who lived inside for 2 years

WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE? - A self-sustainable environment, that would mimic settlements on other planets. From 1991 to 1993, eight people were locked in the giant terrarium, Biosphere II, to live without physical contact with the outside world for two years

Dan at the entrance to the Biosphere

WHAT IS IT USED FOR TODAY? - Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe.

WHERE IS IT LOCATED?  32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739

The only coffee plant inside

COFFEE PLANT NON SO SUSTAINING - So the 8 people grew their own food during the time they were there.  The one large coffee plant there was apparently not as sustaining as it could have been. It produced only enough coffee for 1 cup per 8 people every 2 weeks. I would never have volunteered for that project!! 

 NEXT -A Walk through the Biosphere