![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkTpP9rVRnWgf72e7bPrtSzf1O4R0NK-smPMfpQ9Xd-VDCVsUPpETJLvXiAq3KgH4WMlxNSCQkBLhZfumYAZpllCG-M2Yve493R5CYxBK5o0zi-3NHuL7JnYR46RQ8RmsQEjiWj0N5hbQ/s400/IMG_7923.JPG)
Biosphere 2 near Tucson was a grand experiment in the early 90s. It is called Biosphere 2 because the earth is Biosphere 1.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnhuoKaCKnakxQCSg2Jsw9Q20jxjIeNjaEb0Dger-BePJJdo0PrCgPcn3QrduRjYP7Ms881aJhD37mG4wKsC1JHigQq7oGj_FKZzYZLJskXcv7E9jFEPxeXxdOqBTHrjPcy4LF-1h_jga/s400/IMG_7992a.JPG)
Eight researchers/guinea pigs sequestered themselves for 2 years inside the air-tight sealed facility.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTqw3f3ezFy2VfF9l0aE5rmB8PqXlQe8_FP393-KAUV4MMwKFd5BIJL4bmUA6wCyyKN77SRIdJa1pBoYjgPzqEdFsZ00cJz7V0lw2OyeB5-C-FM5JkNNOzp19MDyLJXruDDSGCvjxcb4Z/s400/IMG_7989.JPG)
Each one had their own small two-story apartment.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyBDUnLuBwjtEwWi5LywpEzFok95EH84WjRhOH9xXZ48WC6IBiWoCw3hXPlxpi9AH8ylxlJoUUKss3uRuh49QrBvUInKLnlj6jjHReq5EerciJryhYxljELZh9I25sBtIWXbjt0lRNP45/s400/IMG_7987.JPG)
And used a group kitchen/meeting room.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA9y-d_FVin44BU9uFU2GHOvw4HP_BdZIGvKUuTtv_L2u-50j3DaAqQGixJZuI6edpMiq98TVjiUX0yqeVFNsSgG891DywP0y6e4s_b0TRkZolDm4XbQ354xsSUxe-Sy_KZo6NsQywJe8/s400/IMG_7945.JPG)
They raised all their own food. They complained of constant hunger the first year, but managed to grow more food the second year.
Zacry gave us a great tour. According to him, the project was a huge success, but if you read about it on the Internet, there were some big problems. One was dropping oxygen levels, which finally had to be artificially elevated.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzriyljjfaPc1u3TjTEWvd7yTwKULnYYTElv2XQ5J0k6ZFlfICCl250joE-31eVBYFijxII30sNpBJJ3MD0QIz1ascyX5jG8HmJv7vuSZQebGx8xz12b8vs3sJErvgLMr-_AAMUDFVGAcv/s400/IMG_7933.JPG)
Some of the different habitats in the Biosphere include a salt water ocean, complete with coral reef -
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtY0dFMXENNu6R7Jfq2KZElM2xSnv2HeAqz33VBs1WjsCBoFuc9MUGWvRJTysYvsUxNKiObC1CDJ4r097zYovuJZjjQm26VjFns0IQzElkg_NBx6hoyRBYopfBqOC76JKRoRCNZADBt5fo/s400/IMG_7935.JPG)
An extremely humid rain forest -
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvGfrPnciFMQzktVioU0oSlRJfD7RmNnLXTcw8WqDEN40TWiuFZicMKCMGWRplIQvIjcPv5gLtxycKf8RaYbvZ1KF-LlO8yvhkdjEsNGlkZjeFUhMGDYuWI6-yrHhfhyphenhyphen-O5BGrNJ4W7iQ/s400/IMG_7955.JPG)
And a desert.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxGpfEcCMugWKdySzYWAo1zivUufZRteDd3pOmPwMMuPLxf66cPaueqckfnh2T3mdKPJCZeLubx75o7qa8E7lBbuH0QVmezC1D_UGP86V2MvQW7GWCGkQoqrycJXBBSLH6tXfh4uha-oN/s400/IMG_7960.JPG)
We went down a long tunnel to get to one of the 2 "lungs."
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVuTpfk3treHjIVqUQXRk7O0cgGp02aY1j4qHTPlN5rollRbuqP_mGX-bxLJLCDjjsdso0RpydFeJa7mbWfVWbsVRPOjffVM-lH1il89Y2_WS7LFYGglAtI60wYySwCmNVibNG3WYvkJ2/s400/IMG_7964.JPG)
Because the facility was sealed, it needed a way to breath, or it would explode as the air pressure increased when the temperature rose each day. The 2 domed lungs expanded and contracted to adjust for the change in pressure. You can see here the feet that it rests on are off the ground.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBer437jfQJNLxgjTcs4S8tDdmjYGI4EYU0wQHC9M-eFpDoEzWfhsr53QUFQJtblYgaj5EtAVv_acj6HQPOEe9KEfz4LpK5PU6fGyyryznCjms5EsqWOjKFcnupf6cjC4QY73kf8EOBR1d/s400/IMG_7968.JPG)
The outside of the lung with a nice Texas Mountain Laurel in the foreground.
They advertise that Biosphere 2 is one of the 50 must-see wonders of the world. While it was very interesting, I wouldn't rank it quite that high.
Interesting tour. I remember when they were running it and read that they had to bring food in from the outside.
ReplyDeleteStill, it was a good scientific trial to see if people couold live in close quarters without killing each other. They could have saved tons of money and just studied full time RVers instead. ;c)
Kudos to the Dahl comment. I agree! What a wonderful post and tour! Thank you Diana. Wow.
ReplyDeleteGreat tour Diana. Another spot to add to the list. At this rate I can't even think of leavin' this world till I'm about 120 years old.
ReplyDeleteInteresting stuff....I would go crazy in there myself---I guess they did learn alot about how to be more self sufficient!
ReplyDeleteThat biosphere 2 will be on our to-do-list next year.
ReplyDeleteWhile driving by I've thought about stopping. Your tour just might be good enough.
ReplyDeleteWe stopped at Biosphere 2 but because Jim couldn't walk at that time (at least not very far) we only went to the movie and walked a little ways down the path to take some pictures.
ReplyDeleteI agree; it was an interesting place to visit, but I can think of a lot of other sites that would easily make it in the top 50 before I get to B2.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Not something for me. I need the outdoors and real air - even if it is polluted.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about that place, but I remember when it was happening. Interesting pictures, thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm a student from germany and I have to present the project Bioshere 2 in my class. I just found your pictures from inside the building and I was really happy. Do you have somme interesting details or other pictures, which are not published n the internet? That would maybe give me an advantage, when I have a opinion of a "live-visitor". Thanks
ReplyDelete