Aurora records in the Spanish newspaper Extremadura for the period 1923–2017

Abstract

Aurora records are a valuable proxy for understanding historical solar behavior. This study explores historical records of auroras reported in the Spanish newspaper Extremadura from 1923 to 2017. We found and analyzed 31 news articles, categorizing them into direct observations and general reports. The compiled news includes significant auroral events that occurred in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1956, 1957, 1958, and 1991. The news reports on aurorae visible not only in the Extremadura area but also across Spain and in other parts of the world. We have extracted information on the characteristics, places, timing, and societal impacts of auroras, in addition to providing information on these events included in previous scientific literature. This collection of auroral reports highlights historical newspapers as documentary sources for reconstructing solar activity and its effects on Earth.