New Yorkers are going to see a lot of people stopping to take pictures of the horizon next week. Manhattanhenge, a term used to describe the two days of the year when the sun sets in perfect alignment with Manhattan’s east-west street grid, will be visible at 8:13 p.m. EDT on May 29 (half-sun, meaning the sun will be halfway above and halfway below the horizon) and 8:12 p.m. EDT on May 30 (full sun, or fully above the horizon). Half-sun is the preferred view for photographers. Here’s a sample of what you can expect to see.
Manhattanhenge takes its name from the same phenomenon at Stonehenge, when the solstice sun lines up perfectly with the large stones. To get the best view in the city, stand as far east as you can and look west toward New Jersey. Cross streets that offer an ideal view include 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, 57th, and 79th streets. Gantry Plaza State Park on the East River is an option if you’re in Queens.
Can’t make it to New York next week? Manhattanhenge will make another appearance on July 12 at 8:20 p.m. EDT (full-sun) and July 13 at 8:21 p.m. EDT (half-sun).
A version of this story was published in 2017; it has been updated for 2023.
This article was originally published on www.mentalfloss.com as New York’s Manhattanhenge Sunset is Coming Next Week.
