1. Home
  2. Slideshows
  3. Manhattanhenge: When The Sun Kisses The Streets of New York

Manhattanhenge: When The Sun Kisses The Streets of New York

Published July 14th, 2020 - 07:19 GMT

Manhattanhenge Is Back! It only happens twice a year over four days. It’s perhaps the ultimate natural urban phenomenon. 

Manhattanhenge is an astronomical event that occurs every year before and after the summer solstice. The annual event is a series of four evenings where the sun perfectly aligns with New York City's street grid, and New Yorkers congregate in intersections to capture it. 

The grid of Manhattan offers great views of this astronomical event from as far south as 14th street to as far north as Washington Heights. As long as you can see west across the Hudson and New Jersey, you won’t miss the event. Any given street on the grid of Manhattan might be a precious viewing gem.

Folks in Manhattan can stand in the middle of any east-west numbered street and watch the sun low on the horizon between buildings.

The term Manhattanhenge was coined by  Neil deGrasse Tyson, who about 10 years ago, started to note the days of the year where the sun aligned perfectly with the grid of Manhattan.

View as a slider
View as a list
New York City watching Manhattanhenge in the northwest (Twitter/W.Shein)

New York City watching Manhattanhenge in the northwest (Twitter/W.Shein)

42nd Street, Manhattanhenge in New York City (Twitter)

42nd Street, Manhattanhenge in New York City (Twitter)

The sun lines up perfectly with Manhattan's grid during a dramatic event called Manhattanhenge (Twitter)

The sun lines up perfectly with Manhattan's grid during a dramatic event called Manhattanhenge (Twitter)

Manhattanhenge happens four times a year, when the sun rises or sets parallel to the street grid in Manhattan (Twitter)

Manhattanhenge happens four times a year, when the sun rises or sets parallel to the street grid in Manhattan (Twitter)

The sun sets along 42nd Street, during the so called "Manhattanhenge", on July 13, 2020 in New York City. The so called Manhattanhenge happens four times each year, when when the sun rises or sets in New York City parallel to the city street grid in Manhattan. Johannes EISELE / AFP

The sun sets along 42nd Street, during the so called "Manhattanhenge", on July 13, 2020 in New York City. The so called Manhattanhenge happens four times each year, when when the sun rises or sets in New York City parallel to the city street grid in Manhattan. Johannes EISELE / AFP

Manhattanhenge: The Solstice Of New York (Twitter)

Manhattanhenge: The Solstice Of New York (Twitter)

Manhattanhenge from Anable Basin Bar (Twitter)

Manhattanhenge from Anable Basin Bar (Twitter)

Fingers crossed for the clouds to dissipate before manhattanhenge happen (Twitter)

Fingers crossed for the clouds to dissipate before manhattanhenge happen (Twitter)

New York City watching Manhattanhenge in the northwest (Twitter/W.Shein)
42nd Street, Manhattanhenge in New York City (Twitter)
The sun lines up perfectly with Manhattan's grid during a dramatic event called Manhattanhenge (Twitter)
Manhattanhenge happens four times a year, when the sun rises or sets parallel to the street grid in Manhattan (Twitter)
The sun sets along 42nd Street, during the so called "Manhattanhenge", on July 13, 2020 in New York City. The so called Manhattanhenge happens four times each year, when when the sun rises or sets in New York City parallel to the city street grid in Manhattan. Johannes EISELE / AFP
Manhattanhenge: The Solstice Of New York (Twitter)
Manhattanhenge from Anable Basin Bar (Twitter)
Fingers crossed for the clouds to dissipate before manhattanhenge happen (Twitter)
New York City watching Manhattanhenge in the northwest (Twitter/W.Shein)
New York City watching Manhattanhenge in the northwest (Twitter/W.Shein)
42nd Street, Manhattanhenge in New York City (Twitter)
42nd Street, Manhattanhenge in New York City (Twitter)
The sun lines up perfectly with Manhattan's grid during a dramatic event called Manhattanhenge (Twitter)
The sun lines up perfectly with Manhattan's grid during a dramatic event called Manhattanhenge (Twitter)
Manhattanhenge happens four times a year, when the sun rises or sets parallel to the street grid in Manhattan (Twitter)
Manhattanhenge happens four times a year, when the sun rises or sets parallel to the street grid in Manhattan (Twitter)
The sun sets along 42nd Street, during the so called "Manhattanhenge", on July 13, 2020 in New York City. The so called Manhattanhenge happens four times each year, when when the sun rises or sets in New York City parallel to the city street grid in Manhattan. Johannes EISELE / AFP
The sun sets along 42nd Street, during the so called "Manhattanhenge", on July 13, 2020 in New York City. The so called Manhattanhenge happens four times each year, when when the sun rises or sets in New York City parallel to the city street grid in Manhattan. Johannes EISELE / AFP
Manhattanhenge: The Solstice Of New York (Twitter)
Manhattanhenge: The Solstice Of New York (Twitter)
Manhattanhenge from Anable Basin Bar (Twitter)
Manhattanhenge from Anable Basin Bar (Twitter)
Fingers crossed for the clouds to dissipate before manhattanhenge happen (Twitter)
Fingers crossed for the clouds to dissipate before manhattanhenge happen (Twitter)

You may also like

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content
Subscribe Now
Loading content ...