Latest news with #23rdStreet
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Manhattanhenge 2025: What is it, and where are the best spots to see it this week?
Move over, Broadway — this week the sun will take center stage in New York City during golden hour with the first Manhattanhenge of 2025. The cosmic phenomenon happens when the setting sun perfectly aligns between the city's towering skyscrapers and the street grid, providing viewers with some of the most stunning images of a sunset in the Big Apple. The term 'Manhattanhenge' was first coined in 2002 by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who wanted to pay homage to Stonehenge, the prehistoric English monument that aligns with the movements of the sun. (The term is now an official word in the Oxford English Dictionary.) Here's when you can see Manhattanhenge 2025 and the best spots for viewing the vibrant spectacle. The phenomenon happens twice a year. Here are the dates and times to keep in mind, according to the American Museum of Natural History's website: Wednesday, May 28: A 'half sun on the grid' will happen at 8:13 p.m. ET. The sun will be partially blocked by the horizon but still framed by the city grid. Thursday, May 29: A 'full sun on the grid' will appear at 8:12 p.m. ET. The sun will appear whole, just above the horizon framed by the city grid. It's best to head outside about 30 minutes beforehand to secure a good viewing spot. Viewers can best see Manhattanhenge from the following main thoroughfares that run east and west. 14th Street 23rd Street 34th Street 42nd Street 57th Street Remember, the whole idea is to see the sun through the frame of the skyscrapers; otherwise, it will look like any other sunset. You'll want to position yourself as far east as possible on one of these thoroughfares. When you look to the west across the avenues, make sure you have a clear view to the horizon looking in the direction of New Jersey across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Manhattanhenge can also be viewed from these locations: Tudor City Overpass on East 42nd Street in Manhattan Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens It will only last a few minutes! And Manhattanhenge has become a popular event, so it's recommended to go outside about 30 minutes beforehand to get a good spot. 'The whole street can get shut down with people just taking it over,' Dr. Jackie Faherty, an astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History, told the New York Post. 'You have to be in the middle of the street to see the phenomenon, and there's this other pesky thing in the middle of the street, which is cars — you have to get away from the cars.' Contrary to popular belief, the sun doesn't rise due east and set due west on the horizon every day. It only does that twice a year on the equinoxes: on the first day of spring and the first day of autumn. Since Manhattan runs north and south, why wouldn't we see Manhattanhenge on the equinoxes if the sun sets due west on those dates? That's because the Manhattan street grid isn't perfectly aligned with the geographic north-south line. 'Manhattan's street grid is rotated 30 degrees east from geographic north, shifting the days of alignment elsewhere into the calendar,' according to the Natural History Museum. If the weather this week is less than ideal, there will be another chance to view Manhattanhenge in July. July 11: A 'full sun on the grid' will appear at 8:20 p.m. ET. July 12: A 'half sun on the grid' will happen at 8:22 p.m. ET. We'll see another one this year because the sun creeps along the horizon northward day by day until the summer solstice, which is June 20. At that point, the sun makes its return back south until the first day of winter. That's why in July we'll see a full sun first, followed by a half sun. Other cities like Chicago and Baltimore with east-west streets on a grid also experience a similar Manhattanhenge effect. The key to a good view is a clear horizon beyond the city grid not obstructed by mountains, for example. Brittany Bell, a meteorologist for ABC7 news, posted that the best chances of viewing it this week will be on Thursday, during the 'full sun' view.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Manhattanhenge 2025: What is it, and where are the best spots to see it this week?
Move over, Broadway — this week the sun will take center stage in New York City during golden hour with the first Manhattanhenge of 2025. The cosmic phenomenon happens when the setting sun perfectly aligns between the city's towering skyscrapers and the street grid, providing viewers with some of the most stunning images of a sunset in the Big Apple. The term 'Manhattanhenge' was first coined in 2002 by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who wanted to pay homage to Stonehenge, the prehistoric English monument that aligns with the movements of the sun. (The term is now an official word in the Oxford English Dictionary.) Here's when you can see Manhattanhenge 2025 and the best spots for viewing the vibrant spectacle. The phenomenon happens twice a year. Here are the dates and times to keep in mind, according to the American Museum of Natural History's website: Wednesday, May 28: A 'half sun on the grid' will happen at 8:13 p.m. ET. The sun will be partially blocked by the horizon but still framed by the city grid. Thursday, May 29: A 'full sun on the grid' will appear at 8:12 p.m. ET. The sun will appear whole, just above the horizon framed by the city grid. It's best to head outside about 30 minutes beforehand to secure a good viewing spot. Viewers can best see Manhattanhenge from the following main thoroughfares that run east and west. 14th Street 23rd Street 34th Street 42nd Street 57th Street Remember, the whole idea is to see the sun through the frame of the skyscrapers; otherwise, it will look like any other sunset. You'll want to position yourself as far east as possible on one of these thoroughfares. When you look to the west across the avenues, make sure you have a clear view to the horizon looking in the direction of New Jersey across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Manhattanhenge can also be viewed from these locations: Tudor City Overpass on East 42nd Street in Manhattan Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens It will only last a few minutes! And Manhattanhenge has become a popular event, so it's recommended to go outside about 30 minutes beforehand to get a good spot. 'The whole street can get shut down with people just taking it over,' Dr. Jackie Faherty, an astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History, told the New York Post. 'You have to be in the middle of the street to see the phenomenon, and there's this other pesky thing in the middle of the street, which is cars — you have to get away from the cars.' Contrary to popular belief, the sun doesn't rise due east and set due west on the horizon every day. It only does that twice a year on the equinoxes: on the first day of spring and the first day of autumn. Since Manhattan runs north and south, why wouldn't we see Manhattanhenge on the equinoxes if the sun sets due west on those dates? That's because the Manhattan street grid isn't perfectly aligned with the geographic north-south line. 'Manhattan's street grid is rotated 30 degrees east from geographic north, shifting the days of alignment elsewhere into the calendar,' according to the Natural History Museum. If the weather this week is less than ideal, there will be another chance to view Manhattanhenge in July. July 11: A 'full sun on the grid' will appear at 8:20 p.m. ET. July 12: A 'half sun on the grid' will happen at 8:22 p.m. ET. We'll see another one this year because the sun creeps along the horizon northward day by day until the summer solstice, which is June 20. At that point, the sun makes its return back south until the first day of winter. That's why in July we'll see a full sun first, followed by a half sun. Other cities like Chicago and Baltimore with east-west streets on a grid also experience a similar Manhattanhenge effect. The key to a good view is a clear horizon beyond the city grid not obstructed by mountains, for example. Brittany Bell, a meteorologist for ABC7 news, posted that the best chances of viewing it this week will be on Thursday, during the 'full sun' view.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Manhattanhenge 2025: Where and When to Soak Up the Solar-Powered Event in New York City
Manhattanhenge is a unique solar phenomenon in which the setting sun aligns perfectly with New York City's street grid The first of four Manhattanhenges of 2025 occurs on May 28 Neil deGrasse Tyson first coined the term in 1997New York is gearing up for golden hour with the first Manhattanhenge of 2025. The phenomenon, first coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in 1997, describes a special solar scenario in which the setting sun aligns perfectly between New York's towering skyscrapers and street grid. The solar-powered celestial celebration is a highlight of the year for New Yorkers, and it even has famous fans, like And Just Like That... star Sarah Jessica Parker. "You want the buildings to rise up around you, and so I don't recommend ascending buildings or watching this from rooftops," Tyson told the American Museum of Natural History of witnessing the solar event. He added, "If you watch Manhattanhenge from a rooftop, it's just another sunset," he said. So, when will Manhattanhenge occur and how can New Yorkers watch it? Grab your sunglasses and your camera, because here's everything to know about the best way to witness the magical New York moment. Manhattanhenge describes the time the setting sun aligns perfectly with New York's street grid, allowing the celestial star to take center stage between the city's skyscrapers. It happens four days a year. "Manhattanhenge happens as the sun works its way north on the horizon and towards the summer solstice, and on the way back towards the winter solstice The term Manhattanhenge was inspired by Stonehenge, the prehistoric English monument that aligned with the movements of the sun. Other cities, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston, also experience a similar "henge" effect in other points throughout the year. The first Manhattanhenges of 2025 will occur on May 28 and May 29. A "Half Sun on the Grid" will happen on May 28 at 8:13 p.m. ET and a "Full Sun on the Grid" will appear on May 29 at 8:12 p.m. ET According to the American Museum of Natural History, "Half Sun on the Grid" is when the sun is partially obscured by the horizon, framed by the city grid, and a "Full Sun" is when it appears in full, just above the horizon. If the Manhattan grid actually matched with the geographic north-south line, then Manhattanhenge would sync up with the spring and fall equinoxes, "the two days on the calendar when the Sun rises due east and sets due west," Tyson explained. "But Manhattan is rotated 30° east from the geographic north, shifting the special days elsewhere in the calendar," he added. The best vantage points to witness Manhattanhenge are along the city's major streets that run east/west and offer a clear view across the island towards New Jersey. Those main streets include: 14th Street 23rd Street 34th Street 42nd Street 57th Street Other prime spots include the Tudor City Overpass in Manhattan and Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens. Manhattanhenge is a popular event, one that quickly attracts crowds. Time Out New York recommends getting to your vantage spot about 30 to 40 minutes before showtime. 'The whole street can get shut down with people just taking it over,' Dr. Jackie Faherty, an astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History told the New York Post. 'You have to be in the middle of the street to see the phenomenon, and there's this other pesky thing in the middle of the street, which is cars — you have to get away from the cars.' The magical Manhattanhenge effect only lasts a few minutes, so soak up every second! "When the sun peaks its first rays of light beyond that building, the crowd tends to go wild," Faherty told "It's the entry moment, like, is it going to come? Is it going to come? And then pow, it's there," she continued. "Then you get to see it do its dance all the way down, kiss the grid, light you up in all these gorgeous colors, before its dramatic exit." After May 28 and May 29, the next Manhattanhenge will light up the sky on July 11 and July 12. The American Museum of Natural History will be hosting a Manhattanhenge event on July 11, which includes a "lecture and viewing event celebrating the last opportunity to see the Manhattanhenge effect in 2025." Read the original article on People
Time of India
6 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
What is Manhattanhenge? When and where to watch the rare sunset illuminate the heart of New York City
Each year, a remarkable natural event transforms the bustling streets of New York City into a glowing corridor of light. Known as Manhattanhenge and also called the Manhattan Solstice, this unique phenomenon occurs when the setting sun aligns precisely with the east and west streets of Manhattan's grid. The result is a breathtaking display as the sun appears to sit perfectly between the city's tall buildings, casting a warm, golden light that illuminates both sides of every cross street. This rare visual spectacle draws crowds of spectators and photographers eager to witness and capture the stunning alignment of nature and architecture Manhattanhenge: Modern urban solstice Manhattanhenge gets its name from Stonehenge, the ancient monument in England where the sun aligns with the stone structure during the solstices. The term was coined by famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in 2002, drawing a poetic comparison between ancient and modern solar events. Unlike Stonehenge, Manhattanhenge isn't tied to celestial rituals but instead results from the city's unique street layout. While Manhattan's grid was established in 1811, its east–west streets don't follow the true cardinal directions. They are offset by about 30 degrees from true east-west, allowing the sun to align with the grid at specific times in the year. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Start Here - 2025 Top Trend Local network access control Esseps Learn More Undo When does Manhattanhenge occur? Manhattanhenge happens twice a year, typically around late May and mid-July. On each of those dates, the sun aligns precisely with the city's streets, setting in such a way that it appears centered between buildings, illuminating both sides of the street. There are two versions of the spectacle on each date: Half-sun Manhattanhenge: When only the upper half of the sun is visible above the horizon Full-sun Manhattanhenge: When the entire sun appears as a glowing orb between the buildings Why is it special? The beauty of Manhattanhenge lies not just in its scientific intrigue but in its emotional and visual impact. As the sun sets in perfect alignment, streets are flooded with golden light, creating picture-perfect moments that attract photographers, tourists, and locals alike. It is a rare moment where the rigid geometry of a modern metropolis intersects harmoniously with nature's rhythm. Best places to watch Manhattanhenge To see Manhattanhenge in its full glory, head to wider cross streets with clear views across Manhattan's grid. Some of the most popular viewing spots include: 14th Street 23rd Street 34th Street 42nd Street 57th Street Tudor City Overpass (in Manhattan) Hunter's Point South Park (in Queens) Arrive early, as these spots fill up quickly, and the phenomenon only lasts a few minutes. A celebration of city and sky Manhattanhenge is more than just a photo opportunity—it's a reminder of the unexpected beauty that can arise in urban life. It connects city dwellers to the natural world in a way that's both accessible and awe-inspiring. In the midst of skyscrapers and traffic, Manhattanhenge offers a moment of stillness, symmetry, and celestial wonder.
