Manhattanhenge
"Manhattanhenge" is a semiannual occurrence that happens when the setting sun aligns east-west with the street grid of the city.
"Manhattanhenge may just be a unique urban phenomenon in the world," says astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, of the American Museum of Natural History, who officially discovered the phenomenon.
The name "Manhattanhenge" is a play on Manhattan, this city's most famous borough, and Stonehenge, the megalithic monument in southern England with large stone blocks set out in concentric circles. At Stonehenge, the Sun crosses the site's central axis during the summer and winter solstices, leading experts to speculate that the site could have been used as a sort of sun calendar, as well as for religious ceremonies.
A view of the "Manhattanhenge" sunset from Hunters Point South Park, July 11, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City.
Manhattanhenge: 2016
A view of the "Manhattanhenge" sunset from Hunters Point South Park, July 11, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City.
Manhattanhenge: 2016
A man records video of the "Manhattanhenge" sunset from Hunters Point South Park, July 11, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City.
Manhattanhenge: 2016
A view of the "Manhattanhenge" sunset from Hunters Point South Park, July 11, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City.
Manhattanhenge: 2016
People view the "Manhattanhenge" sunset from Hunters Point South Park, July 11, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City.
Manhattanhenge: 2016
A view of the "Manhattanhenge" sunset from Hunters Point South Park, July 11, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City.
Manhattanhenge: 2015
People stand in the middle of 42nd Street waiting to get a glimpse of the known as "Manhattanhenge" in New York on May 29, 2015.
Manhattanhenge: 2014
Traffic slows as tourists and pedestrians watch the "Manhattanhenge" phenomenon July 11, 2014 on 42nd Street in New York.
Manhattanhenge: 2013
The sun sets on 42nd Street in Manhattan in this view from across the East River May 29, 2013 in New York.
Manhattanhenge: 2013
People watch and photograph the sunset on 14th Street during "Manhattanhenge" on May 29, 2013 in New York City.
Manhattanhenge: 2011
The sun sets along 34th Street, aligning with the Manhattan street grid during "Manhattanhenge" July 13, 2011 in New York.
Manhattanhenge: 2011
The sun sets during "Manhattanhenge" on July 13, 2011 in New York City.