Manhattanhenge As Neil deGrasse Tyson ponders: “What will future civilizations think of Manhattan Island when they dig it up and find a carefully laid out network of streets and avenues?” If they don’t assume aliens, they might just think there was some astronomy behind NYC’s layout. I mean, we have (correctly) assumed the same for Stonehenge … why not Manhattan? Twice a year on either side of the summer solstice, the Manhattan street grid lines up precisely with the setting sun, framing the glowing orb with towering steel and concrete, and creating even more traffic than normal. Last night’s sighting was a washout due to weather, but there will be another opportunity tonight at 8:16 PM to see the marvel of Manhattanhenge. The path of the sun creeps north and south along with the changing seasons due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis and its orbit around the sun. The 30 degree shift of the Manhattan street grid (and the fact that the island offers uninterrupted horizon on its west side) allow this unique urban view of the sun, perhaps unequaled around the world. NYC followers, I know you’re out there. Grab a camera and get out there (and feel free to tweet me any good pics)! If the weather messes you up again, well … I guess you can just stare at the 2011 photo above really hard.  (More info at the Hayden Planetarium, photo above by ejpphoto on Flickr)
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Manhattanhenge

As Neil deGrasse Tyson ponders:

“What will future civilizations think of Manhattan Island when they dig it up and find a carefully laid out network of streets and avenues?”

If they don’t assume aliens, they might just think there was some astronomy behind NYC’s layout. I mean, we have (correctly) assumed the same for Stonehenge … why not Manhattan?

Twice a year on either side of the summer solstice, the Manhattan street grid lines up precisely with the setting sun, framing the glowing orb with towering steel and concrete, and creating even more traffic than normal. Last night’s sighting was a washout due to weather, but there will be another opportunity tonight at 8:16 PM to see the marvel of Manhattanhenge.

The path of the sun creeps north and south along with the changing seasons due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis and its orbit around the sun. The 30 degree shift of the Manhattan street grid (and the fact that the island offers uninterrupted horizon on its west side) allow this unique urban view of the sun, perhaps unequaled around the world.

NYC followers, I know you’re out there. Grab a camera and get out there (and feel free to tweet me any good pics)! If the weather messes you up again, well … I guess you can just stare at the 2011 photo above really hard. 


(More info at the Hayden Planetarium, photo above by ejpphoto on Flickr)

Source: haydenplanetarium.org

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