The Sky Through the Ceiling

Here is a photo of the ceiling in part of the Biosphere 2 Structure.

As we come to the end, I must say I really enjoyed my tour of Biosphere 2.

The areas where the big open sky could be seen through the glass and metal was ever-changing and pretty cool.

I wonder if the crew members got tired of the view and longed to be out of the structure and feel the wind on their face and touch the stars in the sky.

At some point, the two year mission with eight crew members must have felt confined in such a small area to live. Although it was quite the mission and lots of research for science was gained.

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Biosphere 2 Lungs

Here is a photo of the lungs at Biosphere 2. I like the composition of this image.

The window seals and structure were designed to be airtight so that air exchange was slow to ensure the experiment and research could be conducted appropriately.

These large diaphragms were called lungs.

Because no window could be opened during the two year time period when the eight crew members lived in the Biosphere, there were huge air conditioners used to control the temperature and to ensure the plants could survive.

For every unit of solar energy that entered the structure, the air conditioners would expend three times as much energy to cool the habitat back down.

This is the inside of the round space like building I posted a few days earlier. These lungs provided all of the air during the two years the crew lived in Biosphere 2.

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Turning the Corner at Biosphere 2

Here is a photo I took while walking inside the futuristic structure at Biosphere 2, which is the largest closed structure in the world and is located in Oracle, Arizona.

I like the feel of this photo.

The futuristic building is quite fun to photograph.

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More Biosphere White Metal Art

Here is another photo of a part of Biosphere 2 that I found quite interesting.

The angles and white metal with the sunlight streaming makes the top triangular white bars look like a neon light. It is not a light though, this effect is all natural.

Biosphere 2 is made of steel tubing and high performance glass and steel frames.

The structure helped deal with atmospheric expansion. During the day, the heat from the sun caused the air inside to expand and during the night it cooled and contracted.

The structure had large diaphragms kept in domes called lungs.

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Rainforest Under the Glass Prism

Here is a photo of the length of the rainforest in Biosphere 2.

You can see the size of the sealed structure is quite large. Although if you lived in it for two years sealed away from Earth, it might feel confined after a certain period of time.

There is passive solar input through the glass panels that covers most of the facility.

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Oxygen at Biosphere 2

Here is a photo of part of the Biosphere 2 Structures.

During the two year mission when the eight member crew was sealed into the structure, oxygen did deteriorate.

Oxygen began at 20.9%, but over 16 months fell to 14.5%.

This is the equivalent of oxygen at about 4,000 meters (13,000 feet).

Some of the biospherians were starting to have symptons of oxygen deprivation such as sleep apnea and fatigue. The outside medical team decided to make two injections of oxygen into the structure during the last few months of the two year mission.

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Boojum Tree and Biosphere 2

Here is a photo of a Boojum Tree growing in the desert eco system of Biosphere 2.

The agricultural system produced 83% of the eight person crew's total diet while they lived for two years in this sealed structure.

The crew grew a variety of crops such as papayas, bananas, sweet potatoes, beets, peanuts, rice, and wheat. They could not use any toxic chemicals, as it would impact the crew's health.

During the first year of the two year mission, the crew was hungry and lost weight. During the second year of the mission, the crew grew over a ton more of food and regained some of the weight previously lost.

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Underneath Biosphere 2

As part of the tour at Biospehre 2, you get to walk through the underground infrastructure.

Here is a photo of the piping at Biosphere 2.

Heating and cooling water circulated through independent piping systems.

Electrical power was supplied by an onsite natural gas energy center through airtight penetrations.

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The Art of Biosphere 2

Here is a photo of an interesting perspective of the inside of Biosphere 2.

The white metal and various angles provides interesting lines.

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Clouds From Another Biosphere

Here is a photo from inside Biosphere 2 looking to the outside world of Biosphere 1, which is Earth.

I like the angles and beauty of the changing sky through this futuristic glass and metal structure.

Living in the sealed system would have caused me to regularly look upwards to the changing art of the sky.

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Biosphere 2 Rainforest

Here is a photo of the rainforest looking up from the water.

I liked the clouds and sunlight through the glass structure.

I cannot image living in the entire project for two years though.

Biosphere 2 had a lot of light and different eco systems.

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Biosphere 2 Structures

Here is a photo of the outside of some of the biomes at Biosphere 2. This is the other side of yesterday's photo.

The sealed structure included a 1,900 square meter rainforest, 850 square meter ocean, 450 square meter mangrove, a 1,300 square meter savannah grassland, a 1,400 square meter fog desert, a 2,500 square meter agricultural system, a human habitat, and a below ground level technical infrastructure.

Over the next few days I will show you the inside of Biosphere 2.

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Biosphere 2 Sealed Structure

Here is a photo of the outside of the sealed structure of Biosphere 2.

Biosphere 2 had two research missions.

The first mission had a crew of eight people and lasted from 1991 to 1993.

They really lived only in this structure and did not leave for two years. The crew was monitored by a medical doctor inside and an outside medical team.

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Space Building at Biosphere 2

This is a photo of one of the futuristic buildings that are part of the Biosphere Project in Oracle, Arizona.

The Biosphere Project was built between 1987 and 1991 and sits on approximately 3 acres.

The size of the closed structure is about 2.5 football fields.

The name of this Project is actually Biosphere 2. Biosphere 2 is the largest sealed structure in the world.

What is Biosphere 1? Biosphere 1 is Earth and the term represents Earth's life system and it is the only biosphere that we know of.

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Mountains Through a Glass Prism

During the next few days, I will take you on a photo tour of the Biosphere Project.

The Biosphere Project is a man-made materially enclosed ecological system located in Oracle, Arizona, which is near Tucson.

I took a tour of the inside of the buildings and was able to take this photo looking outside to the mountains.

This was a very interesting research project that explored closed systems for use in space colonization.

The initial project cost over $200 million.

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Colorful Art Creation

This was a rather unique and enjoyable item being sold by the artist at the 40th Annual Scottsdale Arts Festival.

In the photo you can see the top of a very tall metal pole that contains glass on separate metal arms that move in the wind. Very cool.

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Strawberries Extraordinaire

The food at the Scottsdale Arts Festival is quite fun and delicious.

Here is a photo of strawberries with many choices of coatings.

Do you like chocolate with hazelnut, marshmallow with chocolate, or white chocolate and sprinkles?

This food photo looks like art.

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Glass Art at the Festival

I could not resist taking a photo of some of the beautiful glass art that was being sold at the Scottsdale Arts Festival.

The artists are very talented. Such vibrant colors.

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Glass Rocks and Water

The Scottsdale Arts Festival is in full swing through March 14.

This is the 40th anniversary of the festival.

AmericanStyle magazine ranked the Scottsdale Festival as one of the top 10 arts festivals in the United States.

This is a photo of a work of art made of glass rocks overlooking the water features at the event.

There will be live music, many artists and their creations, and wonderful food. get out there and enjoy it!

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Scottsdale Arts Festival

The annual Scottsdale Arts Festival starts today and runs through March 14, 2010.

The outdoor arts festival has over 200 jury selected artists.

This photo is of a stunning ceramic black bowl with autumn leaves weaved into the top. Very unique.

The Scottsdale Arts Festival is one of the top art festivals in the United States.

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Theme Day: Tenin Technique

Today we honor Eric Tenin, the founder of City Daily Photo, by taking a photo with the camera on the ground to create a unique perspective or taking a photo at an odd tilt.

I chose to take a photo of the blanket of yellow Palo Verde tree flowers that had carpeted the ground. Once a year this happens in the Spring. These flowers look sort of like yellow popcorn. The rest of the year the Palo Verde trees are green with no flowers.

This is a fun theme day to see what everyone did with the various techniques. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

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Arizona Falls

Here is a photo from a park called Arizona Falls.

This is where the water from the Salt River Project canal drops twenty feet (6.1 meters).

Arizona Falls is part of the G.R. Herberger Park. It has a 750 watt restored hydroelectric plant and art display.

The best part is going to the lower level and sitting there to wait for the water to fall. The water is not always running.

In the photo you can see the water coming down. It is a pretty cool experience.

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The Glow on Camelback Mountain

Here is a photo of the sun setting and projecting a yellowish glow on the west side of Camelback Mountain where I was hiking.

The basking of color like in this photo of the mountain and palm trees occurs only for a few moments and then it changes. The sun makes its own tint on the photo.

I am always in awe of the colors that change at sunrise and at sunset. Nature is truly inspiring.

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Night and Agave Stalks

This photo is of agave stalks shooting high into the sky at night.

I used a flashlight to help create enough light for me to take the photo during a long exposure. Otherwise, the tall stalks were completely in the dark.

I was able to use the flashlight to also pick up the red color of the stalk in the photo. I like night shots.

It is generally only in the Spring that you will sometimes see agave cactus shoot stalks that turn into flowers. The agave cactus dies after the stalk gives off many new agave pups.

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Red Points

Here is a macro of one of my favorite cactus.

The red points really stand out against the green flesh of the cactus.

As you know, I love macro shots.

There is something special about taking a photo of a small portion of a plant or item and seeing how wonderful it can appear in the abstract.

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Phoenix Skyline at Sunset

I really like this photo of the Phoenix skyline at sunset.

I was able to capture the glow of the sunset at the time that the lights of the City were starting to shine.

You can see the large structure of Bank One Ballpark at the left of this photo.

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The Backfield of Hohokam Baseball Stadium

Mesa's Hohokam baseball stadium has a section above the outfield where people can choose to sit on a grassy knoll for a picnic.

Many people like sitting on blankets and watching the game from this vantage point instead of in seats or bleachers.

It is also a good location for families who can let their kids run around while the parents watch the game. The seats are cheaper also.

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Mesa's Hohokam Baseball Stadium

Here is a photo of a baseball game in progress at Mesa's Hohokam baseball stadium, home of the Chicago Cubs during Spring Training.

Arizona has many baseball teams playing in the Cactus League. Visitors come from all over to watch their favorite teams while catching some rays from the sun in this gorgeous weather.

The stadiums are quite intimate so you do get up close and personal with players and the action.

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Scottsdale Baseball Stadium

Here is a photo of Scottsdale's baseball stadium, which is home to the San Francisco Giants during Spring Training.

I like the three baseballs at the front entrance.

The Cactus League is in full swing. Everyone who can wants to get out to a game and enjoy the sun and fun!

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Batter, Batter Swing!

Spring Training in Arizona is starting, get your tickets!

Arizona is proud of its Cactus League Spring Training Baseball Season.

There is nothing better than an afternoon at the ball game with sunshine, beer, a hot dog and shelling peanuts on the ground.

We have season tickets to the Chicago Cubs spring training games, and we greatly enjoy those opportunities when we can attend a game.

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Theme day: Passageway

Here is a photo of a passageway through the boulders on a hike in northern Scottsdale.

I love passageways like this. It is great to walk through and be surprised at what you see on the other side.

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