Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Science
Related: About this forumManhattanhenge 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: 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 Manhattans street grid, creating a gorgeous celestial spectacle. For a brief moment, the suns golden rays illuminate the citys buildings and traffic with a breathtaking glow.
Its 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.
Manhattanhenges 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.}
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 Manhattans street grid, creating a gorgeous celestial spectacle. For a brief moment, the suns golden rays illuminate the citys buildings and traffic with a breathtaking glow.
Its 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.
Manhattanhenges 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 its called LIC Henge.
....
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 its called LIC Henge.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
5 replies, 1694 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (5)
ReplyReply to this post
5 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Manhattanhenge 2018: How to watch New York City's spectacular sunset (Original Post)
mahatmakanejeeves
May 2018
OP
mahatmakanejeeves
(56,899 posts)1. From Wikipedia:
Manhattanhenge
Manhattanhenge, also called the Manhattan Solstice, is an event during which the setting sun or the rising sun is aligned with the eastwest 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.
Manhattanhenge, also called the Manhattan Solstice, is an event during which the setting sun or the rising sun is aligned with the eastwest 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.
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.
3Hotdogs
(12,210 posts)3. Nah, overcast and/or rain predicted both days.
However, it is a sight to see.
Judi Lynn
(160,219 posts)4. Wow! Thank you, so much. Beautiful. n/t
krispos42
(49,445 posts)5. J think there was a scene like this in "I am Legend"
The one with Will Smith. Some of the action takes place outside in a situation where the sun is nearly aligned with the grid.