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How a Japanese poet's diary helps scientists reconstruct solar cycles

NPR | By Scott Simon
Published April 18, 2026 at 7:42 AM EDT
A red aurora over Engaru, Hokkaido, Japan, similar to those documented throughout history, which helped the researchers reconstruct past solar activity
Tomohiro M. Nakayama
/
Smithsonian
A red aurora over Engaru, Hokkaido, Japan, similar to those documented throughout history, which helped the researchers reconstruct past solar activity

Researchers used a Japanese poet's diary to track solar events that took place over 800 years ago.

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Scott Simon
Scott Simon is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First. He has reported from all fifty states, five continents, and ten wars, from El Salvador to Sarajevo to Afghanistan and Iraq. His books have chronicled character and characters, in war and peace, sports and art, tragedy and comedy.
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