Phosphorylates specifically 'Ser-10' of histone H3 in vitro and colocalizes with phosphorylated histone H3 during mitosis. Associates with cytoskeletal structures that are necessary for cytokinesis and with the microtubule spindle. Colocalizes also with gamma-tubulin and function in microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs). In contrast with the mammalian B-type Aurora; AUR1 has no kinase activity toward 'Ser-28' of histone H3. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:15722465; ECO:0000269|PubMed:16028112; ECO:0000269|PubMed:22150830}.