Manhattanhenge is when the sun sets directly through the center of Manhattan cross streets, lighting both the north and south sides.
Manhattanhenge is just four times a year, when the sun is directly in line with the street grid. It happens twice in the end of May, and we all get a second chance in mid-July.
Reminder that your last chance for Manhattanhenge 2019 is this week, July 11 and 12.
Let’s hope for sunny and clear, not cloudy or rainy, as it was in May.
It’s a photographer’s delight, whether you are using a camera phone or serious gear with a long lens and a tripod.
Manhattanhenge is a play on words for Stonehenge.
Manhattanhenge starts at just after 8PM, when the sun appears on the western edge of east-west numbered NYC streets, washing the space between the two sides of the street in a golden orange light until the actual sunset.
Let’s hope for sunny and clear, not cloudy or rainy.
Best places to see Manhattanhenge
History of Manhattanhenge
The Hayden Planetarium’s Neil deGrasse Tyson, who coined the word, calls it a unique urban phenomenon in the world, if not the universe.
Manhattanhenge at AMNH
The Hayden Planetarium’s Neil deGrasse Tyson, who coined the word, calls it a unique urban phenomenon in the world, if not the universe.
Again this year, the American Museum of Natural History has a special Manhattanhenge program at the Hayden Planetarium highlighting the history and astronomy of this spectacle.
Astrophysicist Jackie Faherty will be your guide to the history and astronomy behind this fascinating phenomenon in a special presentation at the Hayden Planetarium.
- Thursday, July 11, 7 pm at the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater
- $15 ($13.50 seniors, students); $12 Members
- Enter at 81st Street entrance.
Manhattanhenge is one of the 100 Things to Do in NYC Before You Die, included in the new NYC guidebook by NYC on the Cheap Editor Evelyn Kanter.
Available now in bookstores, including Barnes & Noble, and online.
Contact evelyn@nyconthecheap.com for autographed copies.
Dates for Manhattanhenge 2019
Wednesday, May 29th at 8:13pm was “half sun”.
Thursday, May 30th at 8:12pm was “full sun,” with the entire solar ball of the sun above the horizon.
But since the weather was cloudy both dates, we all have our fingers crossed for July.
Thursday, July 11th will be a “full sun” date at approximately 8:20pm.
Friday, July 12th is our last chance for Manhattanhenge 2019, when viewers can see the “half sun” Manhattanhenge at 8:21 p.m. EDT.
Click here for the best places to see Manhattanhenge
photo courtesy Technology Weekly
This posting about Manhattanhenge has been published annually since 2014 and is updated annually.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.