The BioSphere 2 In Oro Valley, AZ

The BioSphere 2 In Oro Valley, AZ

About 20 miles north of Catalina State Park is the BioSphere 2.  So while we were in the area, we figured, why not, let’s go check it out.  Plus we got to hang out with Tricia and Keith from Geeky Explorers some more.

Well, let’s just say, we’re glad we didn’t go to far out of our way to see this.  While an interesting concept, we feel this facility is outdated and really not needed anymore.

The BioSphere 2, which is labeled #2 because the actual Earth is our first BioSphere, is currently owned and operated by the University of Arizona.

They don’t let you just wander around willy-nilly.  Oh no.  You have to take a tour.  Which was ok.  We learned about the different areas inside the different domes.

There are actually 7 different areas that make up the BioSphere 2.  There’s a tropical rain forest.

An Ocean.  Granted not a very big ocean, but it’s an ocean.

Brenda Approaching The Bio-Dome Area

Brenda Approaching The Bio-Dome Area

The Tropical Rain Forest In The BioSphere 2 Building

The Tropical Rain Forest In The BioSphere 2 Building

The Ocean In The BioSphere 2 Building

The Ocean In The BioSphere 2 Building

A desert environment.

The Desert Environment In The BioSphere 2 Building

The Desert Environment In The BioSphere 2 Building

Experiments inside the building

Experiments inside the building

The University or Arizona uses this facility for many different experiments.

This is a totally sealed environment.  No air in and no air out. So to maintain this atmosphere without imploding, the BioSphere 2 has two “lungs”.

One Of The Lungs That Operates The BioSphere 2 Atmosphere

One Of The Lungs That Operates The BioSphere 2 Atmosphere

We were pretty amazed at the engineering of this “lung”.  The black part on top is rubber.  Depending on the pressure in the atmosphere inside the building the top inflates and deflates accordingly.  When you enter and exit this compartment your ears pop.

Tricia And Keith From Geeky Explorers

Tricia And Keith From Geeky Explorers

All in all we had a great time hanging out with Tricia and Keith from Geeky Explorers and taking this tour with them.

One side note.  I’m glad we didn’t drive an hour to this facility when we were staying in Tucson at Lazydays RV Campground.  It would not have been worth it fighting the traffic and all.  But being only 20 miles from Catalina State Park, where we were staying, and hanging out with some new friends made it a little easier to go to.