Manhattanhenge, and see it
Twice a 12 months – round Might 29 and 30, and once more round July 11 and 12 – individuals in New York Metropolis search for Manhattanhenge. It’s a phenomenon the place the sundown aligns completely on east-west oriented streets and avenues of Manhattan. So cool! In line with the American Museum of Natural History:
4 nights a 12 months, the streets of Manhattan’s grid turn into the location for a surprising sundown phenomenon referred to as Manhattanhenge. Throughout Manhattanhenge, the sun units in excellent alignment with Manhattan’s East-West numbered streets, creating cinema-worthy picture alternatives.
2023’s Manhattanhenge dates begin on the finish of Might. A half sun might be seen on the grid on Monday, Might 29, at 8:13 p.m. EDT, and the total sun might be seen on Tuesday, Might 30, at 8:12 p.m. EDT. The second set of dates fall on July 12 (full sun at 8:20 p.m. EDT) and July 13 (half sun at 8:21 p.m. EDT). Between Might 29 and July 13, viewers can see the Manhattanhenge Impact, the place the sun seems between the grid of the town as it’s low within the sky and setting however it doesn’t fairly kiss the grid because it units.
A number of the finest locations to identify it are alongside 14th, twenty third, thirty fourth (contains the Empire State Constructing), forty second, 57th, and 79th Streets.
One other good place is from the Tudor Metropolis Bridge in Manhattan (although it may be crowded) or Hunter’s Level South Park in Lengthy Island Metropolis, Queens.
No matter the place you watch the sundown, be sure to’re as far east as attainable whereas conserving New Jersey within the background throughout the Hudson River to intensify the impact.
More good locations and tips from the NYC Parks Department.
Neil deGrasse Tyson on Manhattanhenge
The title Manhattanhenge was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. It’s a nod to the prehistoric monument Stonehenge in England, which was designed to border the summer time solstice dawn and the winter solstice sundown. Manhattanhenge is unintentional. It occurs as a result of Manhattan was constructed with a grid system of streets, operating north-south and east-west. Tyson explains within the video, above.
Aligned sunsets
Every Manhattanhenge is definitely two days. On the primary day the sun’s full disk aligns with the road grid, and the subsequent day half the sun’s disk aligns with the road grid.
The 2 units of aligned sunsets are centered on the summer solstice, resulting in the impact’s different, incorrect title, the Manhattan Solstice. The primary set of Manhattanhenge dates are on Might 29 and 30.
Because the sun seems to maneuver south once more after the solstice on June 21, the impact repeats in reverse. The total solar disk seems on the horizon on July 12. Then, the half disk alignment happens the next day on July 13. Relying on the 12 months, these dates can shift by a day.
Six months later, Reverse Manhattanhenge occurs across the mornings of January 11-12, when the rising sun creates the identical impact on the opposite facet of the island at shortly after 7 a.m. EST.
Solstice and equinox alignments world wide
The phenomenon of Manhattanhenge is enjoyable. And it’s one among many related alignments that happen world wide on numerous dates. Assume Stonehenge on the equinoxes and solstices.
The purpose of sundown alongside the horizon varies all year long. Presently of 12 months – between the March equinox and June solstice – the sundown level is shifting northward every day on the horizon as seen from across the globe. It’s the northward-shifting path of the sun that offers us summer time within the Northern Hemisphere and winter within the Southern Hemisphere. And it’s the shifting path of the sun that offers individuals numerous alignments of the sundown with acquainted landmarks.
Watching Manhattanhenge
You possibly can observe Manhattanhenge from a number of completely different locations on the east-west streets of the Manhattan avenue grid. The very best locations to observe Manhattanhenge are extensive streets with an unobstructed view towards New Jersey throughout the Hudson River.
Well-liked spots are thirty fourth Road close to the Empire State Constructing and forty second Road close to the Chrysler Constructing. Huge cross streets – reminiscent of 14th, thirty fourth, forty second and 57th Streets – that guarantee the most effective views of the west-northwest horizon (towards New Jersey) are usually good spots.
Take into account that Manhattanhenge attracts massive crowds, particularly across the metropolis’s landmarks.
Why does Manhattanhenge occur?
The June solstice on June 21 will convey the sun’s northernmost level in our sky and northernmost sundown. Afterward, the sun’s path in our sky, and the sundown level, will each begin shifting southward once more. As for the sun’s alignment with the town of New York, and the streets of Manhattan Island … nicely, thank the unique planners of this metropolis. Scientific American explained:
The phenomenon is predicated on a design for Manhattan outlined in The Commissioners’ Plan of 1811 for a rectilinear grid or gridiron of straight streets and avenues that intersect each other at proper angles. This design runs from north of Houston Road in Decrease Manhattan to only south of one hundred and fifty fifth Road in Higher Manhattan. Most cross streets in between have been organized in an everyday right-angled grid that was tilted 29 levels east of true north to roughly replicate the angle of the island of Manhattan.
And due to this 29-degree tilt within the grid, the magic second of the setting sun aligning with Manhattan’s cross streets doesn’t coincide with the June solstice however reasonably with particular dates in late Might and early July.
EarthSky Neighborhood Images of Manhattanhenge
Did you get a photograph of Manhattanhenge? We’d like to see it! Submit it to us at EarthSky Community Photos.
Backside line: Every year round Might 29 and 30, and once more round July 12 and 13, New Yorkers look ahead to Manhattanhenge.
Read more about Manhattanhenge from ScientificAmerican.com
Read more about Manhattanhenge from American Museum of Natural History
