Biosphere II Complex - NE of Tucson

Connecting to 

Sky Watch Friday

Weekend reflections

ShadowSunday Shot 2

Beginning my tour of the Biosphere II complex. The temperature was perfect this day. The tour took about two hours.  This place is immense being 40 acres or about 2 1/2 football fields long.

 First glance.

 Inside Biosphere looking at a replica of ocean life and coral reef. A giant motor keeps the water in motion. To think that they have kept this project going since 1991.

 Water reflections.

 One of the many planted growing areas. The University of Arizona now owns this complex and is studying the air, water and plant life and regular research projects continue.

The tropical area is so dense after 23 years and the plants have reached the glass roof so I wonder what they will do next so that the plants don't push the glass out.  No animals allowed but plenty of tropical plants and insects.

In another section where they have desert fog climate, occasionally they crack a window open on top and sometimes a bird or two get in and help themselves to inserts.

Reflections.

Apparently, there were two missions.  I only remember the first mission where 8 people were locked inside for two years and they all came out rather skinny.  They grew their own food but did not count on the fact that a cloud settled over the complex for nine months and crops failed so it limited their food intake.  They lost 16% of their body weight.

Shadow shot - living quarters - the bedrooms were upstairs. They had TV, books, and occasionally they had dances. Two hooked up and got married after they left the Biosphere.  Two were already married.