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Manhattanhenge: New Yorkers gather for city spectacle Manhattanhenge: New Yorkers disappointed by cloudy sunset
(about 2 months later)
Manhattanhenge on 30 May 2023 Clouds "ruined" Manhattanhenge
New Yorkers gathered for one of the two annual spectacles of Manhattanhenge on Tuesday evening. New Yorkers gathered to see Manhattanhenge, but not everybody was happy with the photo opportunity.
The city's famous grid system framed the setting sun, casting a warm glow over the concrete jungle. Cloud coverage left some spectators disappointed with Wednesday's sunset. The city's famous grid system usually frames the setting sun, casting a warm glow over the concrete jungle.
The phenomenon typically draws thousands of onlookers, tourists and locals alike, who vie to capture the perfect image. The biannual phenomenon draws hordes of onlookers, tourists and locals alike, who vie to capture the perfect image.
The first night of Manhattanhenge happened on Monday, with only half the setting sun on view. But on Wednesday Twitter users grumbled that the show was "ruined" by clouds.
On Tuesday, the full sun was on display between the skyscrapers at sunset. Others complained about the overcast sky making it a "bust" and a "dud".
The next time to catch the show will be in July. Manhattanhenge watchers will have another chance on Thursday, but only half the setting sun will be on display between the skyscrapers.
The previous two nights of Manhattanhenge this year happened in late May.
The next time to catch the sunset show will be in 2024.
What is Manhattanhenge?What is Manhattanhenge?
This is when the sunset aligns perfectly with Manhattan's skyscrapers, which were built on the city's street grid layout.This is when the sunset aligns perfectly with Manhattan's skyscrapers, which were built on the city's street grid layout.
Similar "henge" phenomena also occur in other cities with large amounts of skyscrapers and long straight streets - such as Chicago, Montreal and Toronto.Similar "henge" phenomena also occur in other cities with large amounts of skyscrapers and long straight streets - such as Chicago, Montreal and Toronto.
People snap photos of Manhattanhenge on 30 May 2023 There will be another chance to catch a sunnier Manhattanhenge on Thursday
People gather to view Manhattanhenge on 30 May 2023
As far as sunset goes, the event happens in May and July, and for two nights each. There's also a sunrise version that occurs in the winter.As far as sunset goes, the event happens in May and July, and for two nights each. There's also a sunrise version that occurs in the winter.
It happens about three weeks before and three weeks after the summer solstice.It happens about three weeks before and three weeks after the summer solstice.
Who coined the term?Who coined the term?
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson first used the term Manhattanhenge in 1997, inspired by its likeness to Stonehenge, where the sun aligns with concentric circles of vertical stones on each of the solstices.Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson first used the term Manhattanhenge in 1997, inspired by its likeness to Stonehenge, where the sun aligns with concentric circles of vertical stones on each of the solstices.
The view at 42nd Street in Manhattan This is how it should look: Manhattanhenge on May 30, 2023
"As a kid, I visited Stonehenge in the Salisbury Plain of England and did research on other stone monuments across the British Isles. It was deep within me," says deGrasse Tyson."As a kid, I visited Stonehenge in the Salisbury Plain of England and did research on other stone monuments across the British Isles. It was deep within me," says deGrasse Tyson.
"So I was, in a way, imprinted by the emotional power that terrestrial alignments with the Sun can have on a culture or civilisation.""So I was, in a way, imprinted by the emotional power that terrestrial alignments with the Sun can have on a culture or civilisation."
How do you see it next time? How do you see it?
It will happen next on 12 July at 20:20 and on 13 July at 20:21 local time. You can catch the view again on Thursday 13 July at 20:21 local time.
Viewers above 14th Street and below 155th Street can catch the spectacle.Viewers above 14th Street and below 155th Street can catch the spectacle.
New Yorkers also gathered on 29 May 2023 to view the spectacle
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation recommends these streets for a great view: 57th Street, 42nd Street, 34th Street, 23rd Street and 14th Street.The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation recommends these streets for a great view: 57th Street, 42nd Street, 34th Street, 23rd Street and 14th Street.
While 42nd Street is a popular viewing spot, any east-west street will offer a generally good view - just be sure to head as far east as possible.While 42nd Street is a popular viewing spot, any east-west street will offer a generally good view - just be sure to head as far east as possible.
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