Latest news with #HaydenPlanetarium
Fast Company
3 days ago
- General
- Fast Company
Manhattanhenge 2025: Here's how to see the city skyline frame the sun
Twice a year, New Yorkers and visitors are treated to a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligns with the Manhattan street grid and sinks below the horizon framed in a canyon of skyscrapers. The event is a favorite of photographers and often brings people out onto sidewalks on spring and summer evenings to watch this unique sunset. The first Manhattanhenge of the year takes place Wednesday at 8:13 p.m., with a slight variation happening again Thursday at 8:12 p.m. It will occur again on July 11 and 12. 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. The future host of TV shows such as PBS's 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. 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. 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 Hayden Planetarium. 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.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Sunset Magic: New York To Witness Manhattanhenge On These Dates
New York: Twice a year, New Yorkers and visitors are treated to a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligns with the Manhattan street grid and sinks below the horizon framed in a canyon of skyscrapers. The event is a favorite of photographers and often brings people out onto sidewalks on spring and summer evenings to watch this unique sunset. The first Manhattanhenge of the year takes place Wednesday at 8.13 pm, with a slight variation happening again Thursday at 8.12 pm. It will occur again on July 11 and 12. 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. The future host of TV shows such as PBS' "Nova Science Now" was part of an expedition led by Gerald Hawkins, the scientist who first theorized that Stonehenge's mysterious megaliths were an ancient astronomical observatory. 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. 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 Hayden Planetarium. 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.
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
What is Manhattanhenge? Here's date, time and best way to watch rare solar event in 2025
Manhattanhenge will return to New York City on May 28 and May 29, 2025. The event occurs when the sun aligns perfectly with the city's street grid. Viewers can expect more appearances on July 11 and 12. The phenomenon offers a rare view of the sun between skyscrapers. FILE - The sun sets as seen between buildings along 42nd Street in New York, May 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, file) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Manhattanhenge? Date and Time to Watch in 2025 Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Best Way to See Manhattanhenge FAQs A rare solar event called Manhattanhenge is set to return to New York City in 2025. It will take place on May 28 and 29. The event happens when the setting sun aligns with Manhattan's east-west street grid. Many people gather to watch and take pictures of this is when the sun sets directly in line with the city's street grid. The sunlight travels between the buildings. It makes the sun appear in the middle of the streets. People often take photos of this rare event. It happens only a few times each DeGrasse Tyson gave the name Manhattanhenge. He is a science communicator and the director of the Hayden Planetarium, media reports said. The name comes from a comparison to Stonehenge in England. Manhattanhenge happens due to the Earth's 23-degree tilt. The Earth's rotation changes the sun's position each day. Twice a year, the sun lines up with the city's grid. This creates the bright effect in the first event will happen on May 28. The half sun will appear along the street grid at 8:12 p.m. ET. On May 29, the full sun will be visible in perfect alignment at the same time. Another chance will come on July 11. The sun will align fully at 8:20 p.m. ET. The season ends on July 12 with a half sun view at 8:22 p.m. ET. These times were shared by Jackie Faherty, senior research scientist, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).Those who want to watch should find a clear view down a wide east-west street. The best places are streets that offer an open view of the horizon. Many viewers arrive early to get a good spot. As the sun moves lower, it appears to pass slowly between the tall is when the sunset aligns with Manhattan's grid streets. It creates a visual of the sun centered between city best times are May 28 and 29, and July 11 and 12. The event happens around 8:12 to 8:22 p.m. ET.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
What is Manhattanhenge? Here's date, time and best way to watch rare solar event in 2025
What is Manhattanhenge? Date and Time to Watch in 2025 Live Events Best Way to See Manhattanhenge FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A rare solar event called Manhattanhenge is set to return to New York City in 2025. It will take place on May 28 and 29. The event happens when the setting sun aligns with Manhattan's east-west street grid. Many people gather to watch and take pictures of this is when the sun sets directly in line with the city's street grid. The sunlight travels between the buildings. It makes the sun appear in the middle of the streets. People often take photos of this rare event. It happens only a few times each DeGrasse Tyson gave the name Manhattanhenge. He is a science communicator and the director of the Hayden Planetarium, media reports said. The name comes from a comparison to Stonehenge in England. Manhattanhenge happens due to the Earth's 23-degree tilt. The Earth's rotation changes the sun's position each day. Twice a year, the sun lines up with the city's grid. This creates the bright effect in the first event will happen on May 28. The half sun will appear along the street grid at 8:12 p.m. ET. On May 29, the full sun will be visible in perfect alignment at the same time. Another chance will come on July 11. The sun will align fully at 8:20 p.m. ET. The season ends on July 12 with a half sun view at 8:22 p.m. ET. These times were shared by Jackie Faherty, senior research scientist, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).Those who want to watch should find a clear view down a wide east-west street. The best places are streets that offer an open view of the horizon. Many viewers arrive early to get a good spot. As the sun moves lower, it appears to pass slowly between the tall is when the sunset aligns with Manhattan's grid streets. It creates a visual of the sun centered between city best times are May 28 and 29, and July 11 and 12. The event happens around 8:12 to 8:22 p.m. ET.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Science
- San Francisco Chronicle
What is Manhattanhenge and when can you see it?
NEW YORK (AP) — Twice a year, New Yorkers and visitors are treated to a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligns with the Manhattan street grid and sinks below the horizon framed in a canyon of skyscrapers. The event is a favorite of photographers and often brings people out onto sidewalks on spring and summer evenings to watch this unique sunset. The first Manhattanhenge of the year takes place Wednesday at 8:13 p.m., with a slight variation happening again Thursday at 8:12 p.m. It will occur again on July 11 and 12. 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. 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. 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. 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 Hayden Planetarium. 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.
