the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
| 19 Nov 2024
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 have found and analyzed 31 news articles, categorizing them into direct observations and general reports. The compiled news includes significant auroral events occurred in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1956, 1957, 1958, and 1991. The news reports aurorae visible not only in Extremadura, but also across Spain and 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.
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RC1: 'Comment on hgss-2024-16', Anonymous Referee #1, 03 Dec 2024
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The authors present their approach and results very clearly and, as far as this reviewer is aware, no one else has carried out similar research. However, in my opinion, the results are very meagre and of very limited use. While I could imagine some popular science journalist using these results to say, for example, "the aurora of (name your year) was so spectacular that it was seen as far south as Spain," but I cannot imagine a scientist making use of these sparse records.
One newspaper's accounts of the aurora might shed some light on the extent of that newspaper's science coverage but without extensive comparison with other newspapers, this reviewer is hard-pressed to know if the coverage in "Extremadura" is out of the ordinary. One cannot say if the attention given to the aurora by this newspaper is sporadic, but I doubt that the reports are based on regular nightly observations. In any case, there are only "12 news items
including specific descriptions on direct aurora observations" and "the 19 news items of general reports" are selective and of no statistical use.The period of time covered, 1923-2017, is during a time of well documented observation by meteorological observers, especially those who set up all-sky cameras to record the aurora systematically and regularly. For the last 60 years, solar activity and the aurora have been monitored from space.
As far as the methodology is concerned, doing a word search on "aurora" could omit accounts using other words if, for instance, there is a Spanish equivalent of "northern lights."
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2024-16-RC1 -
RC2: 'Comment on hgss-2024-16', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Dec 2024
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This article examines records of auroras in the Spanish newspaper *Extremadura* from 1923 to 2017. By analyzing 31 news reports, the article reveals both direct observations and general reports of auroras, covering several major auroral events. The study makes full use of nearly a century of news records, providing a detailed historical perspective on auroral events and highlighting the value of historical newspapers as a source for reconstructing solar activity and its impact on Earth. By linking auroras to solar activity, it provides important supplementary data for solar activity research, especially concerning space weather studies in Spain and surrounding areas.
Major Comments：
1. Reanalysis of Auroral Data:
- The authors emphasize the importance of auroras for solar activity research but lack sufficient validation. It is recommended to compare several auroral records with solar activity indices (such as sunspot numbers, F10.7, etc.) or geomagnetic activity indices to observe whether they reflect extreme solar activity and discuss the indicative significance of auroras. Currently, it appears that the intervals between the first three auroral occurrences are 12 years, which could reflect the solar activity cycle.2. Expand Research Data and Supplement Necessary Figures:
- In addition to auroral events, the locations where auroras occur are also important. Comparing or linking multiple locations can reflect the strength of auroras, further indicating the intensity of geomagnetic storms. The article mentions many locations of auroral reports in newspapers, but readers may be unfamiliar with these places. It is suggested that the authors search for reports of the mentioned auroral events worldwide. Finally, a map could be provided to visually display the distribution of these auroral events, thereby quantitatively assessing the strength and impact range of several auroral events.3. Detail of Research Methods:
- The description of data collection and analysis methods in the article is rather brief. It is recommended to add detailed steps on how keyword searches, data filtering, and classification were conducted, as well as the criteria for defining auroral events, to enhance the reproducibility and transparency of the research.
- Considering that auroral phenomena might not be reported with the explicit term "aurora," it is suggested to check if there are possibilities of using other terms (such as "like fire," "red clouds," etc.) to describe auroral phenomena, which is common in many ancient records.Minor Comments：
1. Literature Citation:
- Some cited literature is relatively outdated. It is recommended to supplement with the latest relevant research to ensure the study remains at the forefront.2. Analysis of Event Impact:
- The analysis of the social impact of auroral events is rather superficial. It is suggested to explore in depth the specific impacts of these events on local society, economy, and scientific research.By addressing these issues, the article will be more convincing and scientifically valuable. I hope the authors will consider these suggestions to further improve the study.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2024-16-RC2
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