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Manhattanhenge Takes NYC Again Tonight

Get out your cameras, New Yorkers

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 12, 2012 8:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – Can't make it to Stonehenge? Well, if you can get to New York City by tonight, you can catch Manhattanhenge instead. Tonight is the last night of the twice-annual event, in which the sun perfectly aligns with the Manhattan skyscrapers so you can watch it set along the east-west streets between the buildings. Gothamist has viewing advice from Neil deGrasse Tyson, who named the event; it starts at 8:25pm:

"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," Tyson says. "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."
The sun sets over 42nd Street at the Park Avenue overpass in New York's Manhattan borough during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, Wednesday, July 11, 2012.
The sun sets over 42nd Street at the Park Avenue overpass in New York's Manhattan borough during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, Wednesday, July 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Jeffrey Furticella)
People gather in Tudor City waiting to watch the sun to set through the middle of the buildings on 42nd Street in Manhattan during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.
People gather in Tudor City waiting to watch the sun to set through the middle of the buildings on 42nd Street in Manhattan during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A woman takes a photo with an iPad as people wait for the sun to set through the middle of the buildings on 42nd Street in Manhattan during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.
A woman takes a photo with an iPad as people wait for the sun to set through the middle of the buildings on 42nd Street in Manhattan during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Photographers aim their cameras as the sun sets through the buildings on 42nd Street in New York's Manhattan borough during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.
Photographers aim their cameras as the sun sets through the buildings on 42nd Street in New York's Manhattan borough during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
People stand in the middle of 42nd Street in New York's Manhattan borough as the sun sets through the middle of the buildings during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.
People stand in the middle of 42nd Street in New York's Manhattan borough as the sun sets through the middle of the buildings during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
People stand in the middle of 42nd Street in New York's Manhattan borough as the sun sets through the middle of the buildings during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.
People stand in the middle of 42nd Street in New York's Manhattan borough as the sun sets through the middle of the buildings during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The sun sets through the middle of buildings on 42nd Street in New York's Manhattan borough, during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.
The sun sets through the middle of buildings on 42nd Street in New York's Manhattan borough, during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, July 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY   (Getty Images)
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY   (Getty Images)
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY   (Getty Images)
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY   (Getty Images)
A man on 42nd street in New York City photographs the setting sun on July 11, 2012 as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
A man on 42nd street in New York City photographs the setting sun on July 11, 2012 as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY   (Getty Images)
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012, as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY   (Getty Images)
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012 as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
The sun sets as seen from 42nd street in New York City on July 11, 2012 as Manhattanhenge, sometimes also referred to as Manhattan Solstice. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Hmmmmm
Jul 12, 2012 10:12 AM CDT
Perhaps you mean '..aligns with the Manhattan cross streets...'
iggy029
Jul 12, 2012 9:18 AM CDT
This is awesome.
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New York City • Manhattan • Manhattan-henge • Manhattanhenge • Neil deGrasse Tyson

 
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