Jody Serrano
Editor in chiefEditor in Chief at Xataka On. Before joining Webedia, I was a tech reporter at Gizmodo and The Messenger. While I've covered all sorts of things related to technology, I'm specialized in writing about social media, Internet culture, Twitch, and streamers.
Although many cities across the world have streets named after the sun, such as Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, there are only a few that align perfectly with our closest star.
Many of those chosen few are in Manhattan, which will bear witness to the solar spectacle known as “Manhattanhenge” today. Here’s what you need to know to check it out.
What is Manhattanhenge? Four times a year, people in Manhattan are treated to a unique sight: a sunset that aligns perfectly with the city’s street grid. On those days, residents and tourists gather at strategic points across the borough to watch the sun set and engulf the north and south sides of streets in sunlight.
The event has become iconic, drawing thousands to the streets to take photos and videos. While the event has likely been occurring since New York City was built, the earliest reference to it is a 1997 comic strip in Natural History magazine.
The name “Manhattanhenge” was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in 2002. He said the phenomenon reminded him of the Stonehenge monument in England, which was built to align with the summer solstice.
Dates and times. As mentioned earlier, there are four opportunities to see Manhattanhenge each year, though not every experience is the same because the sun is not fully visible on all days.
This week, we’ll be able to see a half sun on one day and a full sun on another, according to the American Museum of Natural History. Below are the times for sunset on each day.
- Wednesday, May 28: 8:13 p.m. ET (Half Sun)
- Thursday, May 29: 8:12 p.m. ET (Full Sun)
On the days where a half sun is visible, it will be partially obscured by the horizon and framed by the city grid, the museum explains. Meanwhile, on full sun days, the entire sun will be visible above the horizon.
Event watchers typically go out to their preferred lookout 30 minutes before sunset to make sure they get a good spot. It’s important because the event only lasts for a few minutes.
Where to watch Manhattanhenge. In general, the New York City Parks Department recommends heading to a sidewalk on a major cross street that runs west to east with unobstructed views.
The department also offers specific recommendations:
- 57th Street
- 42nd Street
- 34th Street
- 23rd Street
- 14th Street
- Tudor City Overpass, Manhattan
- Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens.
The next Manhattanhenge. If you missed out on May’s Manhattanhenge events—or if bad weather got in the way—you still have a chance to see it again in July.
- Friday, July 11: 8: 20 p.m. ET (Full Sun)
- Saturday, July 12: 8:22 p.m. ET (Half Sun)
And if you’re not in New York City, don’t despair. Similar “henge” events occur in other U.S. cities, such as Chicago and Baltimore.
Images | Aditya Chinchure | Luca Bravo
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