Two sunsets in one day: Rare solar eclipse draws world's eyes to a small Spanish village

Aveyanosa de Munio, a tiny village in Spain's Burgos province, has only a handful of permanent residents. There are no shops, restaurants or bustling city life. The village only comes to life once a week when a bakery van arrives. But on August 12, this quiet hamlet is set to become the centre of one of the world's biggest attractions.

On that day, a rare total solar eclipse will be seen across Europe. It will be the first total solar eclipse from mainland Europe since 1999. For the Spanish mainland, such a spectacle was last witnessed in 1912.

According to astronomer Maria Teresa Lopez Sanchez, the path of totality is very narrow, and Aveyanosa de Munio lies exactly on that path. With vast open fields, a hilly landscape and low light pollution, it is being considered an ideal location for observing the eclipse.

Experts have said the eclipse will occur just before sunset. As a result, daylight will disappear for a few minutes, creating an atmosphere as if the sun is setting twice on the same day. Maria Teresa Lopez Sanchez described the experience as: "It will feel like watching two sunsets within minutes of each other."

Elderly resident Sara Alvarez Rodriguez said the eclipse would be best viewed from a high point near the mountain caves. Rodriguez, who was born in the village in 1937, said around 200 people once lived here. But as mechanical technology increased in farming, employment declined and most people moved to cities.

However, the rare cosmic event is breathing new life into the village. Residents who left the village many years ago are preparing to return with their families. Raul Grande Revilla said he would be going with a group of about 20 people, including family and friends. Tourists and astronomy enthusiasts are coming to the village not only from Spain but also from various countries including the UK, France and Venezuela. Accommodation in the surrounding areas has already been fully booked.

This skywatching event will be made even more special for another reason. On the night of the eclipse, the famous Perseid meteor shower will also be visible in the sky. Visitors will thus have the opportunity to witness two rare astronomical phenomena on the same day — a total solar eclipse and a meteor shower.

According to astronomers, such a rare cosmic coincidence hardly ever occurs. So on August 12, this small village, plunged into darkness for a few minutes, will become one of the prime destinations for countless skywatchers, researchers and tourists from around the world.