'Manhattanhenge' 2016 Date, Peak Times & Best Locations to See it: NYC Phenomenon This Weekend - Does Your City Have a 'Henge?'
Those in New York City will be experiencing a rare beauty this Memorial Day weekend.
The Manhattan Solstice, which is also called, "Manhattanhenge" is said to take place this weekend. The unique display is when the sun sets align with the Manhattan street grid.
Dates, Peak Time & Best Places to Watch It
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This creates a bright and colorful sky around the city of Manhattan. "Manhattanhege" is expected to happen this May 29 and 30 at 8:12 p.m. The first night will show half of the sun above the horizon. As for the second nights, skygazers will see the sun floating above the horizon.
New Yorkers can get a best view of "Manhattanhenge" in the crosstown street like 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42, and 57th streets. The event happens only twice a year, during the summer solstice. It was said that the spectacle will occur again this Jul. 11 and 12.
The term "Manhattanhenge" was coined by Neil deGrasse Tyson. He explained that he related the event to the popular attactrion in London, Stonehedge. Tyson stated, "For Stonehenge, the special day is the summer solstice, when the Sun rises in perfect alignment with several of the stones, signaling the change of season. For Manhattan, a place where evening matters more than morning, that special day comes twice a year, when the setting Sun aligns precisely with the Manhattan street grid, creating a radiant glow of light across Manhattan's brick and steel canyons, simultaneously illuminating both the north and south sides of every cross street of the borough's grid. A rare and beautiful sight."
However, astronomer Shane Larson explained that New York is not the only one with such a sight. Larson stated that other cities will have a chance to see the spectacle throughout the year. He said that "cityhenges" happen all around the world. According to New York Times, he explained, "If you're streets are anywhere close to east or west, my default statement is that you're going to have a henge. You just need to find out when."
