Snakes (On a Plane!)

Not too long ago (roughly two or three weeks ago), we had the pleasure of working with the Tucson Herpetological Society in our Science Saturday event. Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians.

I have to admit, when I first got word of working with the Herpetological Society, I got an email saying, "Re: Herp Club" (abbreviated). I was very close to being concerned, but I decided to read the email before judging. Lo and behold, my suspicions were alleviated, and we were going to be working with snakes that Saturday!

We were greeted by a lovely sign, both in the admissions center and down in the Biosphere:

From Herpetological Society

We went to the lower part of the human habitat and set up shop. It was really quite a fun time -- we had lots of people who came to see the snakes, with enough down time for the snakes not to get too excited. There's a lot of photos for this, so I shall post the link to the slideshow instead of making an incredibly long post:

http://picasaweb.google.com/USSVagrant/HerpetologicalSociety#slideshow/5270212566203010530

For individual images, go here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/USSVagrant/HerpetologicalSociety#

Outside the Biosphere

These photos are in no way a complete visual of the outside of Biosphere. There's also a huge chunk of buildings that are a corollary to the biosphere itself -- buildings for offices, for visitors and admission, for films, and for conventions. I'm focusing on the main building, and some of the closer buildings.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

This is an external view of the library in the human habitat.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

Some of the glass panes of the biosphere from a different angle.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

A view of the glass from the south side of the biosphere -- the south side is also where the desert is inside the biosphere.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

Outside the south lung. When you first see the lungs, their odd shape makes you wonder what it does. After taking the tour, though, you'll learn.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

Those are some abandoned greenhouses. Before the biosphere and its numerous experiments were created, these greenhouses were made to see if some of the experiments they planned on doing were even possible. The experiments were successful, and so they moved it to the full-scale biosphere. These greenhouses now lie in disrepair, sadly, and it's my hope someday to explore through them.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

This is on the southern ridge of the biosphere property. I cannot remember what the function of that building is, but I believe it's related to conventions.

And beyond the buildings, there's interesting wildlife near the biosphere as well. Particularly notable are all the insect varieties.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

A rather large wasp.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

A dragonfly. At the time I took this shot, it was cold enough outside that this dragonfly simply could not move -- he was stuck to the ground, allowing a very nice, clean shot.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

Grasshoppers! Every year, there is a flourish of grasshoppers in the summer. When I took this image (early October), the large number of grasshoppers was slowly diminishing, but they were still quite numerous. They were of all different colors too -- some were green, some were yellow, some were black with orange wings.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

A spider with a red abdomen.

From Biosphere 2

We also get to see the occasional deer on the lawn. I have yet to see coyotes or large predators though.

And for being so patient with me, I will reward you with two images of the road and weather patterns.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

Biomes and Parts of the Biosphere Part 3

Ok, so when you take the tour, after the ocean, savannah, and wetlands areas, you come upon the desert, follow by the underbelly of the Biosphere. In my opinion, the underbelly of the Biosphere is the coolest part of the entire thing -- you see how the Biosphere functioned back in the original missions!

The Desert immediately follows the ocean and savannah. If you're a native to Tucson, this is perhaps the least interesting part -- we're so familiar with the desert that it looks almost like the wilder parts of Tucson do.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

One thing to note though, is that the desert plays a critical role in the circulation of oxygen throughout the biosphere. During the colder months, the desert tends to put out more oxygen. Not to mention, the desert area is usually only watered a few times a year. When it is watered, a fog envelops the area. Also worth noting is the desert area has a very high glass ceiling.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

After the quick stop in the desert, we go underground. Now this is where it gets interesting. You will immediately notice a sudden shift to a concrete bunker. And if you're lucky, the air vents will be blowing -- and you'll get a massive gust through your hair. Here is where all the technology lies, in the underbelly of the Biosphere. I need to apologize in advance -- because there are low lighting levels underground, some of my shots are slightly blurry. I tried to do my best without a tripod.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

But please note, the underbelly of the Biosphere is not disconnected from the rest of the Biosphere. In fact, it's integrated almost seamlessly.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

Water that runs off from the biomes above travels down through the underbelly, and eventually collects in the south lung. One has to travel through quite a bit of terrain to reach the south lung.

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

Once you get there, you are greeted by an impressive sight:

From Biosphere 2 Biomes

(Click on the magnifying glass to see a much larger panorama)

The south lung is where all the runoff water pools, because it is the lowest point in the entire biosphere. The South Lung's existence is due to the fact that the Biosphere was intended to be an enclosed system, except for electricity that was generated from an outside source.

The reason the South Lung exists, is that in an enclosed system, constant heating and cooling (thanks to the sun) would cause pressure inside the Biosphere to be constantly rising or falling. If the pressure were to reach a critical level, the glass panes forming the biosphere could shatter and explode outward. Inversely, if the pressure were to get too low, the glass could implode. So the lung was created -- as pressure from heat increases during the day, the aluminum disc suspended by a rubberlike substance rises. As the pressure decreases from cooling at night, the aluminum disc descends. In this way, the disc functions as a lung.

One funny thing to note: When you're leaving the lung, make sure to grab hold of your hat if you're wearing one.