July 10, 2009
Manhattanhenge weekend for perfectly aligned sunsets
Heads up, shutterbugs, it’s another Manhattanhenge weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday evening, the sun will set in precise alignment with the major east-west arteries of Manhattan, according to the annual calculations of Neil deGrasse Tyson, the director of the Hayden Planetarium in the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
Since the Manhattan street grid isn’t precisely due-north, the Manhattanhenge dates do not precisely align with solstice dates. The grid is actually rotated 30 degrees east from geographic north, according to Tyson, who coined the term “Manhattanhenge.”
Saturday offers the full-sun view, while Sunday offers the half-sun view. (The museum’s website illustrates the difference.)
Sunset is scheduled for 8:25 p.m. both nights.
For best effect, arrive half an hour before sunset on the east side of Manhattan, but at a spot where you can still see New Jersey. Streets with the view include 14th, 23rd, 34th. 42nd and 57th. If the weather’s good, expect a lot of crowds - and try not to be that guy “down in front” screwing up everyone else’s view.
Picture credit: Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.
Correction: This story originally transposed the half-sun/full-sun dates for Saturday/Sunday.
Earlier: New York City’s perfect sunset: Manhattanhenge
Manhattanhenge dates for perfect on-the-grid sunset
July 10, 2009 7:36 AM in Cheap Stuff, Kids, Midtown, Romance, Sightsology
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