Manhattanhenge sunset spectacle returning May 28
The phenomenon of Manhattanhenge returns to New York City on May 28. Credit: Getty Images for S.Pellegrino Sp / Mike Pont/Mike Pont
Manhattanhenge is coming.
This twice-a-year phenomenon — which lasts only a few minutes — is when the sun aligns with Manhattan’s street grid as the sun sets and sinks low in the sky, offering a rare and spectacular view, according to the American Museum of Natural History.
Across the city, throngs pack sidewalks, crane their necks out of skyscrapers and gather at other prime viewing spots.
This year, Manhattanhenge will happen on several dates between May 28 and July 12: the half sun on the grid will be this Wednesday at 8:13 p.m. and July 12 at 8:22 p.m.; the full sun on the grid will be this Thursday at 8:12 p.m. and July 11 at 8:20 p.m., according to the museum’s Manhattanhenge page.
Unfortunately for would-be viewers, Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be cloudy and overcast, with a chance of rain on Wednesday and showers and thunderstorms on Thursday, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Ciemnecki.
The city parks department calls it a "one-of-a-kind" New York experience and suggests arriving before sunset to secure a spot.
"In these moments, the sun kisses the grid's horizon and the sun's golden rays stream directly through Manhattan's major cross streets from west to east," the department’s webpage says.
The best viewing spots are these east-west thoroughfares: 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street and 57th Street, as well as the Tudor City Overpass in Manhattan and Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens.
The name Manhattanhenge was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
But why isn’t Manhattanhenge visible simply on the equinoxes?
Like the city itself, Manhattan’s street grid — which dates to 1811 — is different.
"Had Manhattan's grid been perfectly aligned with the geographic north-south line, then the days of Manhattanhenge would coincide with the equinoxes," the museum notes. "But Manhattan's street grid is rotated 30 degrees east from geographic north, shifting the days of alignment elsewhere into the calendar."
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
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