- Manhattanhenge is happening in New York City on Monday.
- It's the phenomenon where the setting sun perfectly aligns with the city's street grid.
Manhattanhenge, the rare and breathtaking spectacle when the setting sun exactly aligns with New York City's street grid, is happening on Monday night.
The phenomenon occurs twice per year. The first occurrence in 2023 is May 29 at 8:13 p.m., according to the American Museum of Natural History.
At that hour, the setting sun will be halfway over the horizon and perfectly framed by Manhattan's skyscrapers. On May 30 at 8:12 p.m., New Yorkers will be able to observe a similarly striking alignment, but this time the entire sun will be visible just over the horizon.
It'll all happen again on July 12 and 13, so if you miss it tonight or tomorrow you still have more chances later this year.
The term Manhattanhenge was coined by the popular astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, a native New Yorker. It's a reference to England's Stonehenge, the mysterious formation of stones that's oriented to frame the sunrise during the summer solstice.
So where's the best place to snap a pic of Manhattanhenge?
In a blog post on the American Museum of Natural History's website, where deGrasse Tyson heads up the planetarium, the astrophysicist recommends checking out the view from Manhattan's main east/west thoroughfares at 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th Streets.
The Tudor City Overpass in Manhattan and Hunter's Point South Park in Queens are two more scenic spots, he says.