Did you know that Scripps is holding exclusive full-moon tours at the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier? At 1,090 feet, Scripps Pier is one of the world’s largest research piers and is closed to the public outside of these tours. The next pier walks are on June 8 and 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available to the public, and costs $35. For Birch Aquarium members, tickets cost $30. Participants must be over the age of 9 and pre-purchase tickets at www.aquarium.ucsd.edu. A “pier cam” is also available online for viewing. Participants in these fascinating moonlit “pier walks,” will have the chance to collect plankton, learn about bioluminescent organisms, and explore the current research done at the pier. Caitlyn Schully, marketing coordinator at Scripps Institute, stated, “It is a great event. People get the inside scoop on Scripps science as well as participate in fun, hands-on activities on the pier.” Historically, Scripps has used the pier to pump seawater to their facilities, pumping more than 1.8 million gallons of seawater a day. Scripps Pier is now also utilized by scientists, students, and aquarium staff to work on various research projects, by allowing them to gather local marine life and send out small boats and oceanographic instruments. It is also home to a diving facility that functions as equipment storage and an inspection and maintenance center for the Scripps training program for scientists using underwater breathing apparati.
