Crowds gathered in New York City to witness a stunning sunset perfectly aligning with the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan. This captivating event, known as Manhattanhenge, occurs four times a year when the setting sun lines up with the east-west streets of the borough due to Manhattan’s unique street layout.
Named after England’s Stonehenge by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Manhattanhenge made its final summer appearance on July 12. The spectacle marked the culmination of a series of breathtaking sunsets across the city before the season’s end. New Yorkers can anticipate another celestial event next month, with a partial solar eclipse visible on August 12.
The glowing sun nestled between Manhattan’s skyscrapers during the Manhattanhenge event drew crowds eager to capture the rare sight. The phenomenon is a result of Manhattan’s street grid being angled around 30 degrees east of true north, allowing the sunset to align with the streets on limited evenings each year. This unique solar alignment, similar to England’s Stonehenge, occurs twice before and after the summer solstice.
Numerous spectators paused to witness the sunset, many seizing the moment to snap photos with their phones. Manhattanhenge has become a beloved tradition, attracting tourists, photographers, and astronomy enthusiasts seeking to capture the perfect shot of this natural wonder. The event lasted briefly before the sun descended below the horizon, concluding another summer Manhattanhenge.
Despite its proximity to the summer solstice, Manhattanhenge did not coincide with the longest day of the year. The event’s occurrence is due to Manhattan’s rotated street grid rather than a north-south orientation. As the Earth orbits the sun, the sunset position gradually shifts until aligning perfectly with the city’s streets, happening four times annually.
While Manhattanhenge is known for its four sunset alignments, the visual impact extends beyond these specific dates. The “Manhattanhenge Effect” spans several weeks as sunsets gradually align and diverge from the city’s iconic grid. This year’s summer phenomenon commenced before July and concluded with the final alignment, offering photographers ample opportunities to capture striking images of sunlight streaming through the skyscrapers.
Following Manhattanhenge, skywatchers can anticipate another celestial event as a partial solar eclipse is set to occur on August 12 in New York. Although the eclipse will be visible across North America and Europe, the most dramatic views will be along a narrow path crossing Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, where a total solar eclipse is expected. Eclipse glasses will be necessary throughout the event in New York as the sun will not be completely obscured.
For those who missed the summer spectacle, Reverse Manhattanhenge will offer another opportunity later in the year. Unlike the traditional event focused on sunset views, the winter edition showcases the rising sun illuminating Manhattan’s streets at dawn, providing another chance to capture the city’s renowned skyline bathed in golden light.
