Latest news with #Chicagohenge
Boston Globe
27-05-2025
- Science
- Boston Globe
What is Manhattanhenge and when can you see it?
Some background on the phenomenon: Where does the name Manhattanhenge come from? Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson coined the term in a 1997 article in the magazine Natural History. Tyson, the director of the Hayden Planetarium at New York's American Museum of Natural History, said he was inspired by a visit to Stonehenge as a teenager. Advertisement The future host of TV shows such as PBS' 'Nova ScienceNow' was part of an expedition led by Gerald Hawkins, the scientist who first theorized that Stonehenge's mysterious megaliths were an ancient astronomical observatory. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up It struck Tyson, a native New Yorker, that the setting sun framed by Manhattan's high-rises could be compared to the sun's rays striking the center of the Stonehenge circle on the solstice. Unlike the Neolithic Stonehenge builders, the planners who laid out Manhattan did not mean to channel the sun. It just worked out that way. When is Manhattanhenge? Manhattanhenge does not take place on the summer solstice itself, which is June 20 this year. Instead, it happens about three weeks before and after the solstice. That's when the sun aligns itself perfectly with the Manhattan grid's east-west streets. Advertisement Viewers get two different versions of the phenomenon to choose from. On May 28 and July 12, half the sun will be above the horizon and half below it at the moment of alignment with Manhattan's streets, according to the On May 29 and July 11, the whole sun will appear to hover between buildings just before sinking into the New Jersey horizon across the Hudson River. Where can you see Manhattanhenge? The traditional viewing spots are along the city's broad east-west thoroughfares: 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street and 57th Street. The farther east you go, the more dramatic the vista as the sun's rays hit building facades on either side. It is also possible to see Manhattanhenge across the East River in the Long Island City section of Queens. Is Manhattanhenge an organized event? Manhattanhenge viewing parties are not unknown, but it is mostly a DIY affair. People gather on east-west streets a half-hour or so before sunset and snap photo after photo as dusk approaches. That's if the weather is fine. There's no visible Manhattanhenge on rainy or cloudy days, and both are unfortunately in the forecast this week. Do other cities have 'henges'? Similar effects occur in other cities with uniform street grids. Chicagohenge and Baltimorehenge happen when the setting sun lines up with the grid systems in those cities in March and September, around the spring and fall equinoxes. Torontohenge occurs in February and October. But Manhattanhenge is particularly striking because of the height of the buildings and the unobstructed path to the Hudson.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Chicagohenge 2025: What is an equinox?
The Brief Chicagohenge occurs twice a year during the spring and autumn equinoxes when the sun aligns perfectly with Chicago's street grid. Equinoxes happen around March 21 and September 22, marking the transition between seasons with nearly equal day and night worldwide. Best viewing times for Chicagohenge are at sunrise and sunset, when the sun dramatically frames the city's skyline. CHICAGO - Chicagohenge is a stunning biannual event that happens during the spring and autumn equinoxes, when the sun aligns perfectly with Chicago's street grid. The best views occur at sunrise or sunset, creating a breathtaking sight as the sun frames the city's skyline. Here's a closer look at the science behind equinoxes and how they create this unique phenomenon. What we know As Earth orbits the Sun, its tilted axis causes variations in sunlight distribution, leading to the changing seasons. Twice a year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the Earth's equator receives equal amounts of sunlight, resulting in nearly equal day and night worldwide, according to the Adler Planetarium. Equinoxes occur around March 21 and Sept. 22, marking the shift between seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox signals the start of spring, while the September equinox marks the beginning of autumn. The reverse happens in the Southern Hemisphere, according to the National Geographic Society. During an equinox, the Sun is directly above the equator, meaning Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the Sun, creating nearly equal lengths of day and night. However, atmospheric refraction—where light bends as it passes through Earth's atmosphere—means day and night are not exactly 12 hours each. The equinoxes play a key role in Earth's orbit, influencing seasonal changes, daylight hours, and cultural traditions. They also set the stage for phenomena like Chicagohenge, when the Sun aligns with city streets. As the next equinox approaches, it serves as a reminder of the balance and motion that define Earth's path around the Sun. Timeline This year, you can catch it from March 20 to March 23 during sunrise or sunset: Thursday, March 20 – Sunrise at 6:53 a.m. | Sunset at 7:03 p.m. Friday, March 21 – Sunrise at 6:51 a.m. | Sunset at 7:04 p.m. Saturday, March 22 – Sunrise at 6:50 a.m. | Sunset at 7:05 p.m. FOR MORE. CLICK HERE. The Source The information from this article was provided by the Adler Planetarium and National Geographic Society.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Chicagohenge 2025: Everything you need to know
The Brief Chicagohenge occurs twice a year, aligning the sun with Chicago's east-west streets, creating a breathtaking view at sunrise and sunset. The event will be visible from March 20 to March 23, with peak viewing times during sunrise and sunset. CHICAGO - An extraordinary event marking the start of spring is set to light up Chicago next week, creating a must-see spectacle. Chicagohenge, a natural phenomenon, happens twice a year—once to welcome spring and again to bid summer farewell. Here's what you need to know to catch this stunning sight. The backstory During the event, the sun perfectly aligned with Chicago's east-west streets, creating a stunning view for residents. This alignment allows the sun to rise and set directly between the buildings, rather than being blocked by them. Timeline This year, you can catch it from March 20 to March 23 during sunrise or sunset: Thursday, March 20 – Sunrise at 6:53 a.m. | Sunset at 7:03 p.m. Friday, March 21 – Sunrise at 6:51 a.m. | Sunset at 7:04 p.m. Saturday, March 22 – Sunrise at 6:50 a.m. | Sunset at 7:05 p.m. Big picture view An equinox occurs when the Earth's equator aligns directly with the sun. This happens twice a year: in March for the Spring Equinox and in September for the Fall Equinox. During an equinox, both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. The equinox also marks the official change of seasons. What we know The Adler Planetarium recommends heading to any of Chicago's east-west facing streets to view the phenomenon. Photographer Barry Butler, who has shared his expertise with us before, suggests Randolph, Madison, and Chicago streets as some of the best spots to catch the event. The Source Information in this article came from previous FOX 32 coverage, the Adler Planetarium and Photographer Barry Butler.
