Arabic chronicles.

Here, we present a transient celestial event reported by the Persian historian [*al-abar*]{}*ī*; it could have been either a bolide or a nova-like event.[^2] In Sect. 2, we present the Arabic text and its translation to English. In Sect. 3, we discuss the circumstances of the sighting: Location, observers, sources, and dating. The interpretation by the observers is than given in Sect. 4. Then, in Sect. 5, we present an interpretation as bolide. In Sect. 6, we consider a speculative interpretation as nova-like event. Finally, we summarize the results in Sect. 7.

[*The Arabic text by*]{} [*al-abar*]{}*ī*
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The well-known Persian historian named [*Abū Ja$^{\rm c}$far Mua- mmad ibn Jar*]{}*ī*[*r al-abar*]{}*ī* (short: [*al-abar*]{}*ī*) was born AD 839/840 in Amul (today in Iran) and died AD 923 in Baghdad (Iraq). Among other subjects, he studied Islamic religion, mathematics, and medicine. One of his most influential and best known works is the historical chronicle [*Tār*]{}*ī*[*kh al-Rusul wa-al-Mulūk*]{} (History of the Prophets and Kings), often referred to as [*History of al-abar*]{}*ī*. This chronicle giv- es short reports for all years for the 8th and 9th centuries, with more details in some years, in particular for years, when a caliph died, e.g. 