One vast and magnificent flood of rosy and half-fiery light

This week was the 162nd anniversary of the strongest recorded geomagnetic storm to have struck Earth. Known as the Carrington Event after one of its discoverers, a coronal mass ejection caused major disruptions to world telegraphic systems. In New Zealand, however, electric telegraphy had yet to be introduced - this would not appear until 1862 - so the effects of the Event and its associated solar activity were instead witnessed in a spectacular auroral display, as recorded by the newspapers of the day, particularly the Taranaki Herald:

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All lovers of nature were charmed last Monday evening by the rare occurrence of the Southern Lights. This mysterious phenomenon, commencing about half-past six p.m., bore at first the singular appearance of daybreak. Extending to an elevation of about 30 degrees, the gradually increasing light was seen to quiver at intervals, and then vanish from the eyes like a dissolving view. The rays emitted, at first almost indistinct, afterwards formed themselves into coruscations shooting up from the south and south-western horizon. These becoming after a little time still more clearly defined against the evening sky presented the shape of luminous bars with an (apparent) edge plainly marked on the western side. In the meanwhile a reddish tint was observed to be spreading almost imperceptibly over the southern portion of the heavens, and gathering a deeper colour about 7 o'clock, was seen to sink, and as it were to change its position, but only to rise again with equal brilliancy by the snow capped head of Egmont. But the crowning sight was to come. After little more than a quarter of an hour the red light was observed to shift again towards the south-west — the glow became brighter and brighter — and at last the Aurora poured forth one vast and magnificent flood of rosy and half fiery light, sometimes hiding sometimes only faintly concealing as with a gauze veil the stars around. Lasting apparently about 50 seconds it gradually sunk down, and the same glorious effulgence was seen no more. The white light still continued to brighten the sky but became totally extinct before 9 o'clock.

- Taranaki Herald, 3 September 1859


The beautiful phenomenon called the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis has frequently been visible of late. Last evening the spectacle was peculiarly attractive, the vivid lights at times shooting in rays and pencils across the southern heavens, and again spreading over almost the whole sky, dyeing the atmosphere of a bright roseate hue.
- Lyttelton Times, 3 September 1859


August 29. [Wind] S.W. ; a.m., heavy rain; evening, brilliant aurora.
- Daily Southern Cross, 2 September 1859