Manhattanhenge is a phenomenon that occurs twice a year in the summer when the setting sun aligns perfectly with the east-west streets of Manhattan. It is a day when people – New Yorkers and tourists alike – take over the major cross streets in Manhattan for about an hour before the sun sets to take Instagram worthy pictures and videos of the phenomenon. Since there are two every year, I usually position myself on 42nd Street, once closer to 2nd Avenue and the other time closer to 7th Avenue to experience it from both the east and the west side of Manhattan. Manhattanhenge 2023 was spectacular with the half sun on Memorial Day, May 29, and the full sun on May 30 at 8:12 pm ET. The second Manhattanhenge 2023 is on July 12th with the full sun on the grid, and the half sun on the grid will be on July 13th.
“Manhattanhenge”, which is becoming increasingly popular over the years, was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in 2001. He was inspired by the ancient astronomical phenomenon of Stonehenge in England to discover this in NYC.
What is Manhattanhenge?
Manhattanhenge refers to a time twice a year where the sun aligns precisely with the east-west streets of Manhattan’s grid. The setting sun creates a stunning visual display as it sets, especially when viewed from the major cross streets in Manhattan.
The term “Manhattanhenge” was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who was inspired by the ancient monument Stonehenge, where the sun aligns with the stones during the solstices.
The alignment of the sun with the Manhattan grid occurs over a period of several days, during which the sun appears to be sitting on the horizon for longer than usual, and the days leading up to and even after Manhattanhenge create stunning pictures of the sunset. The phenomenon can be observed from any east-west street in Manhattan, but the most popular viewing spots are on 14th, 34th, 42nd, 57th and 72nd Streets.
When Will Manhattanhenge Occur in 2023?
Manhattan’s street grid is actually at 30 degrees east from the geographic north, so the alignment happens on different days every year. If Manhattan’s grid system had been perfectly aligned with the north-south geographic line, the days of Manhattanhenge would coincide with the equinoxes.
Manhattanhenge will occur on four days in 2023, two in May and two in July, as determined by the position of the sun in the sky and its alignment with the east-west streets of Manhattan.
May 2023
Monday, May 29, 2023 at 8:13 pm ET – half sun on the grid
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 8:12 pm ET – full sun on the grid
July 2023
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 8:20 pm ET – full sun on the grid
Thursday, July 13, 8:21 at 8:21 pm ET – half sun on the grid
The days of the full sun on the grid tend to be more popular, and the major cross streets are taken over by photograph taking New Yorkers and tourists hoping to get the perfect picture.
Manhattanhenge 2023 happens to correspond with Memorial Day and Baseball’s All-Star break.
Locations to View Manhattanhenge
Manhattanhenge can be viewed from a number of locations in Manhattan and Queens, though you should be prepared for a lot of people to be out in the popular viewing spots.
Manhattan Streets
While Manhattanhenge can be seen from most of the numbered streets in Manhattan, some of the best locations to view Manhattanhenge are the major cross streets as they are wider with fewer obstructions, and the sheer volume of people at these brings the traffic to a standstill, allowing people to stand in the middle of the street to get the best view.
The following streets are recommended for viewing Manhattanhenge:
- 14th Street
- 23rd Street
- 34th Street
- 42nd Street
- 57th Street
- 72nd Street
On these streets, viewers can see the full disk of the sun as it sets between the buildings.
Tudor City Overpass
The Tudor City Overpass is a pedestrian walkway that spans 42nd Street in Manhattan. It offers a unique view of Manhattanhenge, as viewers can see the sun setting directly between the buildings. This tends to get crowded early on, so you would need to plan to get here at least a couple of hours before the sunset to get a clear spot to take in the sunset.
Long Island City
For those who want to see Manhattanhenge from a different perspective, Long Island City offers excellent views of the event as you can see the Manhattan cross streets from across the East River.
Hunter’s Point South Park and Gantry Park are great locations for viewing Manhattanhenge. They are located in Long Island City, and offer a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline.
History of Manhattanhenge
Manhattanhenge is a term coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson to describe the phenomenon that occurs when the setting sun aligns with the east-west streets of Manhattan’s street grid. This event happens twice a year, and is very popular and draws crowds of people to the streets of New York City to witness and photograph the spectacle.
The term Manhattanhenge is a play on words, referencing the famous prehistoric monument in England, Stonehenge, which is believed to have been built as an astronomical observatory. The alignment of the stones at Stonehenge with the sun and stars is thought to have been used to mark important astronomical events, such as solstices and equinoxes.
In contrast, Manhattanhenge is a modern phenomenon, resulting from the layout of Manhattan’s street grid. The grid is rotated 30 degrees from true east-west, meaning that the sun aligns with the streets at a slightly different angle each year. This creates a unique opportunity to capture stunning photos of the sun setting between skyscrapers and down the length of the streets.
The first known photograph of Manhattanhenge was taken in 2001 by Neil deGrasse Tyson himself, who has since become a vocal advocate for the event. He has encouraged New Yorkers to take advantage of the opportunity to appreciate the city’s urban landscape and connect with the natural world.
Final Thoughts
Manhattanhenge is a spectacular event that occurs twice a year in New York City, and something that I always schedule on my calendar so I can am free and available to soak it in on the streets of Manhattan. The a unique phenomenon of the setting sun aligning perfectly with the city’s east-west street grid creates a breathtaking spectacle that lives on in my memory and my camera.
For those looking for the best photo opportunities, there are several locations to consider. Some of the most popular spots include the major cross streets such as 42nd Street, 34th Street and 57th Street, and the Tudor City Overpass. While people arrive early, which is good at a place the Tudor City Overpass, the cross streets are busy with traffic so it can be difficult to find a spot till the sunset, when traffic comes to a virtual standstill with people taking over the streets.
If you are in Manhattan on Manhattanhenge, it is a really fun shared experience on the streets of New York.
