THE first “Manhattanhenge” of the year occurred Sunday evening.
The phenomenon happens only a few times each year when the sunset aligns perfectly with the grid of Manhattan before it sets on the horizon.
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The term was coined by scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson and the event becomes a rare photo opportunity for anyone lucky enough to witness it in person.
It has been previously referred to as the Manhattan Solstice but was later changed to Manhattanhenge because the word solstice actually means “stopped sun” in the Latin language.
According to astrophysicist, Jacqueline Faherty, the cause of the event is because Manhattan’s cross streets face, roughly, east-west, creating a “bullseye” for the sun to hit when it sets.
“All of this is attributable to the fact that the Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees with respect to the orbit it takes around the sun,” she told Newsweek.
“As such there are times when Manhattan is pointing more directly toward the sun (during summer) and times when it is less directly toward the Sun (during winter.)
“On the dates of Manhattanhenge, our city is staring straight down the barrel at the sun around 93 million miles away right at the moment it sets below the horizon.”
If you missed the event on Sunday night, you can catch it again on Monday, May 30 at 8:12pm, a full sun.
The next time it will happen will be in July on Monday, July 11, full sun at 8:20pm and Tuesday, July 12, a half sun at 8:21pm.
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Accuweather offered some tips to anyone trying to get the perfect shot.
Make sure to plan ahead and get the perfect spot well before the sunset. Manhattanhenge attracts major crowds, as with any big event in New York City. Check the weather before you leave the house as well.
Be sure to pick the right street to get an unobstructed view of the horizon. NYC Parks has the best streets in order to get a good view:
- 57th Street
- 42nd Street
- 34th Street
- 23rd Street
- 14th Street
- Tudor City Overpass, Manhattan
- Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens
Make sure you have the right equipment for your shot. It’s recommended that photographers bring a tripod and a quality camera with settings ready for low-light conditions.
#Manhattanhenge trended on Twitter Sunday with people sharing their own shots of the phenomenon.
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