By Jacqueline Lovci
Manhattanhenge is the phenomenon that occurs when the sun aligns perfectly with the Manhattan street grid, so that it sets between buildings along east-west cross streets in Manhattan. It only happens four days a year and the first in 2024 is tonight, Tuesday, May 28, at 8:13 p.m. with a half sun visible as it dips below the horizon. Tomorrow, May 29, at 8:12 p.m. will be a full-sun spectacle. The second pair of Manhattanhenge sunsets will occur on Friday, July 12, at 8:20 p.m. (full sun), and half sun on Saturday, July 13, at 8:21 p.m
The name Manhattanhenge was coined by Frederick P. Rose Hayden Planetarium Director Neil deGrasse Tyson in 2001, and has caught on with New Yorkers ever since, sparking Instagram hashtags like #manhattanhenge, which has over 100,000 posts. According to Tyson its name was inspired by Stonehenge, a prehistoric circle of stones in Wiltshire, England, which is perfectly aligned with the sunrise on the summer solstice, signaling the change of season.
The NYC Parks Department says, “For the best views of Manhattanhenge, head to a sidewalk on a major Manhattan cross street that runs from west to east with unobstructed views…Manhattanhenge lasts for only a few minutes at sunset — get there early!” If you’re up for leaving the neighborhood, they recommend checking out the following streets:
- 57th Street
- 42nd Street
- 34th Street
- 23rd Street
- 14th Street
- Tudor City Overpass, Manhattan
For more information, check out the American Museum of Natural History’s coverage — HERE.
Send your Manhattanhenge photos (with location) to info@westsiderag.com and we’ll post them.
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