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yesterday

Manhattanhenge to Illuminate Manhattan’s Streets This Week

Clear skies will be crucial for viewers hoping to catch the sun aligning with Manhattan’s grid.

FILE - The sun sets as seen between buildings along 42nd Street in New York, May 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, file)
Viewers gather to watch and photograph the phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge in New York City on July 11, 2021.
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Overview

  • The twice-yearly event occurs when the setting sun aligns precisely with Manhattan’s east-west grid, casting glowing light through downtown and midtown canyons.
  • This year’s half-sun spectacle arrives Wednesday, May 28 at 8:13 PM ET, followed by a full-sun alignment Thursday, May 29 at 8:12 PM ET.
  • Forecasts of rain and clouds could obscure the sunset, making clear weather essential for spectators.
  • Prime vantage points include 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd and 57th Streets, as well as Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City and the Tudor City Overpass.
  • Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson coined the term in 1997, and similar grid-based alignments occur in cities like Chicago and Toronto.