title: Earliest datable records of aurora-like phenomena in the astronomical diaries from Babylonia.
abstract: The astronomical diaries from Babylonia (ADB) are excellent sources of information of natural phenomena, including astronomical ones, in pre-Christ era because it contains the record of highly continuous and systematic observations. In this article, we present results of a survey of aurora-like phenomena in ADB, spanning from BCE 652 to BCE 61. We have found nine records of aurora-like phenomena. Philological and scientific examinations suggest that five of them can be considered as likely candidate for aurora observations. They provide unique information about the solar and aurora activities in the first millennium BCE. Graphical abstract.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mitsuma
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan ; Unit of Synergetic Studies for Space, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ebihara
authors.affiliation: Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Akito Davis
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.affiliation: Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyahara
authors.affiliation: Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Harufumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamazawa
authors.affiliation: Unit of Synergetic Studies for Space, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan ; Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies for Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Isobe
keywords: Astronomical diaries from Babylonia; CMEs; History of astronomy; Solar activity; Solar flares; Surveys