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mahatmakanejeeves

(56,899 posts)
Wed May 30, 2018, 11:20 AM May 2018

Manhattanhenge 2018: How to watch New York City's spectacular sunset

By CHRISTOPHER BRITO CBS NEWS May 29, 2018, 7:36 PM

Manhattanhenge 2018: How to watch New York City's spectacular sunset

New York City residents get to witness a special kind of sunset known as "Manhattanhenge" this week. During the phenomenon, which occurs just a few times a year, the sun aligns perfectly with skyscrapers that sit on Manhattan's street grid, creating beautiful scenes made for picture-taking.

What is Manhattanhenge?

The name Manhattanhenge was dubbed by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who likened the positioning of the sun at Stonehenge during the summer solstice to the sun's alignment across the borough of Manhattan. The event unfolds over two evenings each time.

"For these two days, as the Sun sets on the grid, half the disk sits above and half below the horizon," Tyson explained. "But the day after also offers Manhattanhenge moments, but at sunset, you instead will find the entire ball of the Sun on the horizon."

What time is Manhattanhenge

The first of the Manhattanhenge sightings this season will be on Tuesday, May 29, at 8:13 p.m. The second will be on Wednesday, May 30, at 8:12 p.m. According to the latest forecasts, both days should be good weather for viewing.

If you miss the showing on Tuesday or Wednesday, fear not, there will be another chance on July 12 at 8:20 p.m. and July 13 at 8:21 p.m.

Manhattanhenge 2018: When and Where to Watch

You might get a chance to take “the best sunset picture of the year” this week in New York.



The sun sets over 42nd street in New York on May 29, 2013 John Minchillo/Associated Press

By Nicholas St. Fleur

May 28, 2018

New Yorkers, get ready to marvel at Manhattanhenge. ... For two days every spring and summer, the sunset lines up with Manhattan’s street grid, creating a gorgeous celestial spectacle. For a brief moment, the sun’s golden rays illuminate the city’s buildings and traffic with a breathtaking glow.

“It’s the best sunset picture of the year that you will have in this beautiful city,” Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History said to The Times last year. “Sometimes they call it the Instagram holiday.”

Manhattanhenge’s name is a homage to Stonehenge, the monument in England believed to have been constructed by prehistoric people and used in rituals related to the sun. During the summer solstice, the sunrise there is perfectly framed by its stone slabs.

Last year, Manhattanhenge was blocked by pesky clouds during both of its two-day performances in May and July. But if weather permits, you can catch the dazzling display at the following days and times:

Tues., May 29, 8:13 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Wed., May 30, 8:12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time


{Sign up to get a reminder on your calendar for Manhattanhenge and other space and astronomy dates.}

NYC Free: Manhattanhenge 2018 is May 29/30



....
Here are the dates for Manhattanhenge 2018

TUESDAY, MAY 29, AT 8:13 PM EDT (HALF SUN)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, AT 8:12 PM EDT (FULL SUN)

THURSDAY, JULY 12, AT 8:20 PM EDT (FULL SUN)
FRIDAY, JULY 13, AT 8:21 PM EDT (HALF SUN)

Click here for the best places to see Manhattanhenge

Get another view of Manhattanhenge from Long Island City, where it’s called LIC Henge.
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Manhattanhenge 2018: How to watch New York City's spectacular sunset (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves May 2018 OP
From Wikipedia: mahatmakanejeeves May 2018 #1
Googling Manhattanhenge images for more spectacular photos. procon May 2018 #2
Nah, overcast and/or rain predicted both days. 3Hotdogs May 2018 #3
Wow! Thank you, so much. Beautiful. n/t Judi Lynn May 2018 #4
J think there was a scene like this in "I am Legend" krispos42 Jun 2018 #5

mahatmakanejeeves

(56,899 posts)
1. From Wikipedia:
Wed May 30, 2018, 11:36 AM
May 2018
Manhattanhenge

Manhattanhenge, also called the Manhattan Solstice, is an event during which the setting sun or the rising sun is aligned with the east–west streets of the main street grid of Manhattan, New York City. The sunsets and sunrises each align twice a year, on dates evenly spaced around the summer solstice and winter solstice. The sunset alignment occurs around May 28 and around July 13. The sunrise alignment occurs around December 5 and around January 8.

Explanation and details

The term "Manhattanhenge" was popularized by Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History and a native New Yorker. It is a reference to Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England, which was constructed so that the rising sun, seen from the center of the monument at the time of the summer solstice, aligns with the outer "Heel Stone".



Satellite view of Manhattan centered on the intersection of Park Avenue and 34th Street, showing directions and local times of sunsets (solid arrows) and sunrises (dotted arrows) during Manhattanhenge (black), summer solstice (red), equinoxes (purple), and winter solstice (blue) in 2011. Times marked * have been adjusted for daylight saving. Click the image for an expanded view.

procon

(15,805 posts)
2. Googling Manhattanhenge images for more spectacular photos.
Wed May 30, 2018, 11:36 AM
May 2018

NY looks surreal, like something out of the future. Never heard of Manhattanhenge, but it adds another layer of genius to the fabulous and phenomenal Neil deGrasse Tyson.

krispos42

(49,445 posts)
5. J think there was a scene like this in "I am Legend"
Fri Jun 1, 2018, 12:05 PM
Jun 2018

The one with Will Smith. Some of the action takes place outside in a situation where the sun is nearly aligned with the grid.

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