Manhattanhenge 2011: 8:17pm tonight, don't miss the best sunset in New York City
On the Memorial Day evening, did you encounter the beautiful Manhattanhenge? If not, here is your second, and better chance.
Manhattanhenge, or sometimes referred to as the Manhattan Solstice, is a biannual phenomenon when the setting sun is aligned perfectly with the east-west streets of the main street grid in New York City, creating a radiant glow of light across Manhattan's brick and steel canyons.
Origin in Stonehenge, at which the sun aligns with the stones on the solstices. Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, coined the event in 2002.
For 2011 Manhattanhenges fall on May 30th, and July 12th. These two days happen to correspond with Memorial Day and Baseball's All Star break. A half-sun is seen, with half the disk below the horizon.
Disappointed that it was yesterday? Here is your second chance: the day after May 30 and the day before July 12 also offer these special moments, and this time it's a full-sun! The entire ball of the Sun will be above the horizon.
On his personal website, Tyson stated,
For best effect, position yourself as far east in Manhattan as possible. But ensure that when you look west across the avenues you can still see New Jersey. Clear cross streets include 14th, 23rd, 34th. 42nd, 57th, and several streets adjacent to them. The Empire State building and the Chrysler building render 34th street and 42nd streets especially striking vistas.