Inside Biosphere 2's giant glass pyramid, tropical trees stretch 80 feet above the forest floor. Crazy ants, so named because of their erratic movements, scurry below.

A second mission started in 1994 but only made it six months. The story of Biosphere 2, however, has evolved well beyond the late-night punchlines, tell-all books and the Pauly Shore movie Bio-Dome.

Biosphere 2 lives on as a successful research site 30 years after eight people emerged from the experiment in the Arizona desert. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) ...

Biosphere 2 will continue to operate as one of the world’s most diverse controlled ecological systems thanks in part to a $30 million endowment from its co-founder. Philanthropist Edward P. Bass ...

Biosphere 2's ocean ecosystem contains 700,000 gallons of sea water brought in from the California coast — more than an typical Olympic-size swimming pool. Scientists suit up in scuba gear to explore ...

The Biosphere 2 complex including the living quarters, right, on June 20, 2025, in Oracle, Ariz., U.S. It's a living, breathing laboratory called Biosphere 2.

Inside Biosphere 2's giant glass pyramid, tropical trees stretch 80 feet above the forest floor. Crazy ants, so named because of their erratic movements, scurry below.

In early October, Biosphere 2 will receive endangered Quitobaquito pupfish to introduce into its habitat. The fish hail from Arizona's Quitobaquito Springs by the U.S.-Mexico border, where water ...

By Alina Hartounian Published July 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Caitlin O'Hara / for NPR Trees grow against the windows at Biosphere 2 on June 20, 2025 in Oracle, Ariz., U.S.

By Alina Hartounian Published July 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM EDT Caitlin O'Hara / for NPR Trees grow against the windows at Biosphere 2 on June 20, 2025 in Oracle, Ariz., U.S.