Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson’s phrase “Manhattanhenge” has caught the public imagination. Crowds took to New York City streets to get a glimpse of this rare astronomical event. In a helpful 1997 article for National History magazine, the phenomenon was given its first name. This occurs twice a year, when the setting sun is perfectly aligned with Manhattan’s grid, washing the canyons of NYC streets in a beautiful orange glow.
The first Manhattanhenge of 2023 on Wednesday evening, with a repeat performance scheduled for Thursday. This spectacle, which takes place on May 30 and again on July 11 and 12, draws spectators eager to experience the visual beauty reminiscent of the summer solstice, when a hemisphere enjoys its longest day of the year.
Tyson also likened Manhattanhenge to the original Stonehenge. Solomon sky maps and measured how the sun’s rays fell on the center of the stone circle on summer solstice. Gerald Hawkins, the scientist who first theorized Stonehenge’s purpose as an astronomical observatory, inspired this analogy. Tyson uncovers an amazing connection between city design and astrology. He goes on to explain the ways that these environments provide stunning settings for key solar alignments.
On Thursday evening, though, viewers encountered a major obstacle as thick cloud cover temporarily hid the sunset. Despite this, crowds packed sidewalks and parks, hoping to see the magical moment before it disappeared. In Times Square, dense groups of people spilled from sidewalks onto the road, raising their phones to capture the sunset. The excitement was electric as participants bonded over a shared experience that highlighted the beauty of nature and the vitality of city life.
Every year, Manhattanhenge reminds us of the unique marriage between the human-made environment and cosmic phenomena. The combine not only attracts out of state tourists, but local Hoosiers who understand the cultural importance. Save the Date for July 11 and 12! These dates guarantee record-breaking audiences as word-of-mouth spreads throughout the region about this annual spectacular.
