Science Capital of America

If ever a state deserves to be called the Science Capital of America, it is Arizona. The variety of scientific fields is astonishing--biology, anthropology, geology, mineralogy, astronomy, zoology, ornithology, botany.....

Biosphere 2--It's called Biosphere 2 because Earth is Biosphere 1. This was the place where 8 people lived in a glass cage for 2 years. They had to breath only the air they produced and eat only the food that they grew. That was their downfall. They didn't have enough air, so they had to create more and they weren't getting enough calories. They have two massive "lungs" that control air volume. Now they use it for all kinds of scientific experiments and have created several different climate zones inside, including a small ocean, rainforest and desert.

Titan Missile Launch Silo--During the Cold War, this was the last chance America had to defend itself. Twenty-five of these silos were stationed around the country, ready to launch a nuclear missile with the turning of a key. Four crew members were stationed there at all times. During the tour, you get to go down into the silo and see the missile and the control room.

Casa Grande Ruins--This was a thriving community of the Hohokam and a chance for us to look back and imagine the culture at it's height. Archeologists study this culture that use irrigation for a thousand years and ended around 1450.

Sabino Canyon--a shuttle takes you to the top of this lovely canyon, where you can walk amongst the sauguro, along a river, watching for birds.

Other science places we will go to on our next visit: The Planetarium at the U of Arizona, Kitt Observatory, Biotanical Gardens.