Manhattanhenge is the phenomenon in New York City where the sunset lines up with the space between city blocks. It occurs four times a year on days that frame the summer solstice at the end of May and in the middle of July.
One day is already over but people in New York City can still watch the second day of Manhattanhenge and its next occurrence in July.
Manhattanhenge 2018
The first day of Manhattanhenge 2018 already occurred on Tuesday, May 29, at 8:13 p.m. Eastern standard time. Those in New York City can still catch the sunset on Wednesday, May 30, at 8:12 p.m.
Those who will not be able to catch the second day don't need to fuss. There will be another Manhattanhenge sunset occuring on July 12 at 8:20 p.m. and July 13 at 8:21 p.m.
The best places to watch Manhattanhenge is along 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th and the various cross streets that run adjacent to them. People need a clear view along the horizon across the Hudson River to New Jersey.
Many missed out on being able to share images for Manhattanhenge on May 29 due to the cloudy weather that day. There are more favorable conditions for the May 30 Manhattanhenge event.
Origin Of Manhattanhenge
The origin of Manhattanhenge can be traced to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. In 2001, Tyson wrote an article for the American Museum of Natural History in which he described the phenomenon occurring in New York City. Tyson also posted a picture of what the sunset looked like from a view of 34th Street.
In the post, he describes what future civilizations would think when they find that New York City's streets were laid out in a grid network. By just examining the grid network and comparing it with the sunset, they may presume that the layout had some sort of astronomical significance. He then compares the layout of the streets to the prehistoric rocks at Stonehenge.
Though this occurs in Stonehenge when the summer solstice happens, the dates when it occurs in New York City frame the summer solstice. Tyson describes the event as a "rare and beautiful" sight.
Tyson says that the event happens on these dates in New York City because the street grid is rotated 30 degrees east from the geographic north. If the street grid was perfectly aligned with the geographic north-south line, then Manhattanhenge would occur on the equinoxes.
