© Getty Images

What is it? -

Manhattanhenge is the name of an occurrence where the Sun lines up with Manhattan’s street grid.

© Getty Images

What is it? -

More precisely, it’s when the setting Sun aligns East-West between 14th Street and 155th Street in the New York City borough of Manhattan.

© Getty Images

Who discovered the phenomenon? - Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson was the person who 'discovered' and named the phenomenon.

© Getty Images

Name -

The name is a reference both Manhattan and  Stonehenge, the megalithic monument in England.

© Getty Images

Name -

Tyson explained where he got the inspiration for the name: "I visited Stonehenge as a kid at age 15 on an expedition that [Hawkins] was the expedition head... and that stuck with me, which is why I named this phenomenon in Manhattan where the Sun sets along the street grid."

© Getty Images

Name -

"I named that Manhattanhenge, sort of harkening back to my early days thinking about the alignment of the Sun and structures that we might build," added the astrophysicist.

© Getty Images

When does it occur? -

Manhattanhenge happens annually. In 2024, you can see it on May 28-29 at 8:13 pm EST.

© Getty Images

When does it occur? -

Then you can marvel at Manhattanhenge again on the date of the Summer Solstice, which is on June 20, 2024.

© Getty Images

When does it occur? -

Your last chance to see it this year will be on July 12 at 8:20 pm EST.

© Getty Images

Best spots to see it -

You can watch the beautiful sunset in Manhattan at a number of locations facing West with a good view of New Jersey, namely 79th Street, 57th Street, and 42nd Street.

© Getty Images

Best spots to see it -

You can also experience the phenomenon on 34th Street (including the Empire State Building), 23rd Street, and 14th Street.

© Getty Images

Best spots to see it -

You can also watch the sunset from a number of locations across the borough of Queens, including Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City.

© Getty Images

Tips for making the most of Manhattanhenge -

Arrive early, at least 30 minutes before the sunset. Many spots can get really crowded, and you want to arrive with plenty of time to choose a good spot and get your phone/camera ready.

© Getty Images

Tips for making the most of Manhattanhenge -

Check the weather before you go. If it’s cloudy/raining, there isn't much point in planning to watch the phenomenon, as visibility is what makes it interesting.

© Getty Images

Tips for making the most of Manhattanhenge -

If you're a budding photographer, bring a tripod and use a long lens if you have one. This will help compress the buildings in the foreground and highlight the beauty of the sunlight.

© Getty Images

Tips for making the most of Manhattanhenge -

Looking directly at the Sun can be harmful, so make sure your eyes are protected, at least, with good-quality sunglasses.

© Getty Images

Tips for making the most of Manhattanhenge -

Solar viewing glasses (those used to look at solar eclipses) would be better suited for you to enjoy the full spectacle without risking harming your vision.

© Getty Images

Reverse Manhattanhenge -

While the summer sunset gets most of the attention, the reverse phenomenon—winter sunrise—is equally as beautiful. This happens around November, December, and January.

© Getty Images

Reverse Manhattanhenge -

Reverse Manhattanhenge, as it’s known, is not as popular because it’s usually cold, it occurs early in the day, and because the Eastern horizon is a bit more hilly when compared to the Western.

© Getty Images

Grid -

Unlike Stonehenge, the Manhattan grid alignment is accidental. But at the right time of the year, its light is as magical as it can be.

© Getty Images

Torontohenge -

A similar phenomenon occurs twice a year in Toronto, Canada, dubbed Torontohenge (pictured).

© Getty Images

Strasbourghenge -

Strasbourg in France also has its own version, which occurs in October, known as Strasbourghenge.

© Getty Images

Strasbourghenge -

Though unlike in NYC, this one occurs when the Sun is aligned behind a building or a monument, like the Notre-Dame cathedral in this photo.

© Getty Images

Chicagohenge -

In March and September, the setting Sun also lines up with Chicago's grid system. A phenomenon dubbed Chicagohenge.

© Getty Images

MIThenge -

MIThenge is the name of the phenomenon that occurs at the end of January and early November at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This is when the sunlight fills the length of MIT's Infinite Corridor.

© Getty Images

Other "henges" -

In addition to Manhattanhenge and the mentioned cities, similar phenomena can also be observed in Baltimore, Maryland, as well as in Milton Keynes, England, and Montreal, Canada.

© Getty Images

Photo op -

Manhattanhenge is definitely one of the most Instagrammable phenomena in the world.

© Getty Images

Crowds -

Every year, thousands of people gather to witness the event in New York City.

© Getty Images

Enjoy it! -

According to Neil deGrasse Tyson, "Manhattanhenge may just be a unique urban phenomenon in the world."

Sources: (American Museum of Natural History) (CBS News) (New York Latin Culture Magazine) (Local Adventurer)

See also: The most remarkable celestial events of 2023

© Getty Images