Abandoned Spanish village chosen by NASA to broadcast solar eclipse

The once-abandoned Spanish village of Villalibado is set to gain international attention as NASA has chosen it as the primary location for broadcasting a solar eclipse to the world. The village, which was nearly in ruins by 2007, has undergone a remarkable transformation thanks to the efforts of Juan Ansotegui.

Ansotegui, who lives nearby, witnessed Villalibado's decline after its last permanent residents left in 1998. His involvement began when a friend asked for advice on restoring a medieval tower. This led Ansotegui to acquire the property and subsequently purchase and restore other houses, eventually establishing a thriving rural tourism complex that now hosts weddings and events.

NASA's selection of Villalibado for the eclipse broadcast highlights the village's successful revival. Initially, Ansotegui thought the request from "Exploratorium," a San Francisco science museum collaborating with NASA, was a prank. However, after receiving official documentation, he realized the seriousness of the endeavor.

Specialists from Exploratorium scouted locations along the optimal eclipse path, visiting small towns, castles, and mountains in the Castilla y León region. They were impressed by Villalibado's potential, particularly its suitability for observing the eclipse. The collaboration, which began about 18 months ago, will see NASA bring sounding balloons while Exploratorium broadcasts the event live to an estimated 10 million viewers worldwide, with coverage on major US networks like CNN and Fox, as well as Chinese television.

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