Biosphere 2 Observatory

Best known for its giant glass biomes, the Biosphere 2 site near Oracle, Arizona, is also home to real astronomical and space-tracking facilities operated by the University of Arizona.

About Biosphere 2 Observatory

Located about 30 miles north of Tucson, the site hosts a 0.7-metre optical telescope alongside a 6.1-metre radio antenna run by Steward Observatory for spacecraft communication and satellite research. A Space Situational Awareness facility on site also tracks objects in Earth orbit.

Telescopes & research

Research at Biosphere 2 spans Earth system science, astrobiology and closed life-support systems as well as astronomy, making it one of the more unusual observatory sites anywhere, part space-tracking station, part planetary-science laboratory.

Location & getting there

Biosphere 2 sits in the high desert north of Tucson, Arizona, in dark, rural surroundings well suited to both its research mission and astronomical observing.

Visiting Biosphere 2 Observatory

The Biosphere 2 site is open to the public year-round, closing only for Thanksgiving and Christmas, making it one of the more accessible research observatories to visit in person.

See your named star from here

With both optical and radio instruments on site, Biosphere 2 is a fitting place to think about a star named through Star Register, its certificate gives you the exact coordinates that any telescope can be aimed at. Browse the star catalogue to get started.