The CMAT – Costa da Morte Tourism Association held an outreach event this Tuesday in Caión focused on the eclipse taking place next 12 August. The initiative, promoted by the Galicia Tourism Agency, aims to prepare the tourism sector, media representatives and technical staff from Starlight destinations for an astronomical phenomenon that will make the Costa da Morte one of the key reference points for its observation. The event had a technical and practical focus, centred on the safe observation of the eclipse, the communication of this type of phenomenon and the opportunities it represents for the territory.
The opening was led by the president of the CMAT and mayor of A Laracha, José Manuel López Varela, who highlighted the importance of this event for the Costa da Morte and, in particular, for the northern part of the territory, located within the eclipse path of totality.
During his speech, he emphasised the need to approach this phenomenon “with rigour and responsibility”, while also underlining the opportunity it represents to attract quality tourism and showcase the full range of natural, heritage and cultural resources of the Costa da Morte.
Next, Begoña Estévez and Antonio Pazos, from the company Corvus Maris and both accredited as Starlight monitors, led a talk and discussion on the basic astronomy of an eclipse and safe observation, answering practical questions and offering recommendations for both professionals and the general public.
The institutional presentation of the event then took place, with the participation of the director of Tourism Promotion of Galicia, María del Carmen Pita; the vice-president of the CMAT and mayor of Cee, Margarita Lamela Louzán; and the president of the Costa da Morte Astrotourism Association, Yolanda Díaz Romero.
The programme continued with the session “Eclipse Photography”, delivered by Fernando Rey Daluz, an expert in audiovisual training and scientific outreach certified by the Starlight Foundation, who shared technical guidelines and recommendations for capturing this astronomical phenomenon safely and with quality results.
The event concluded with a practical session on eclipse photography and solar observation, including a simulation of the phenomenon, which allowed attendees to learn first-hand about the devices and protocols recommended for safe observation.
The CMAT gave a very positive assessment of the initiative and the strong attendance, which contributes to preparing the territory for the arrival of the eclipse and to highlighting the potential of the Costa da Morte as a destination linked to nature tourism and sky observation.
