
The visual effect known as Manhattanhenge returns to New York City this evening. The Event—which was first named and noticed by Neil deGrasse Tyson—happens four times a year, twice with a half sun and twice with a full sun. It occurs when the sunset aligns perfectly with the city’s grid system, illuminating both the north and south sides of every cross street of the borough’s grid.
“It is a unique urban phenomenon in the world, if not the universe,” said Tyson
The weather forecast looks great for today’s event which will feature half of the sun on the grid. Tonight’s event unfolds at 8:14 pm. During this event, half the sun is usually visible above the horizon while the other half is hidden below. Tomorrow, at 8:13pm; the full sphere of the sun will be visible above the horizon. Weather should be just as cooperative tomorrow as it is today.
If you’re not in town and/or something interrupts your view this month, you’ll have another chance to see the phenomena in July. The next event happens on Saturday, July 11, at 8:20pm where the full sun will be visible. Half the sun will be visible in the last event of the year on the following day, Sunday July 20 at 8:21pm.
For the best view of Manhattanhenge, you should be as far east as possible, but be sure to pick a street where the view is clear across to New Jersey and the Hudson River. The best views are on 57th, 42nd, 34th, 23rd, and 14th street. The sunset can also be viewed from the Tudor City Overpass in Manhattan or the Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens.