Manhattanhenge. Half Sun on the Grid is Tonight!
When I lived in Manhattan and commuted home from Wall Street to the Upper East Side, I became aware of the incredible visual experience of light (and its reflection) channeling through the street/building grids of NYC. Magnificent is the word that comes to mind. This was before Manhattanhenge was "announced" and presented to the world.
And then voilà, compliments of Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The half sun on the grid is TONIGHT--Sunday, July 12 at 8:21 p.m. EDT. If you are in the City, I think you MUST.
Serendipitously (for me, not for the NYT), a story about Manhattanhenge by Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, was published in today's Metropolitan Diary. Of course I had to read it-- Neil deGrasse Tyson is my absolute favorite astrophysicist. He is brilliant, charming, funny, relatable, and truth be told, he is likely the only current astrophysicist I am remotely aware of. He's da bomb.
The following is his story published today. All credits to the New York Times. The links to information about Manhattanhenge, where to view, etc. are also included below. Ain't life grand?
Manhattanhenge
Dear Diary:
Beginning in spring 2002, I announced to New Yorkers via email and news release that on two days each year the Sun sets over New Jersey in a way that perfectly aligns with the Manhattan street grid.
When the western skies are cloud-free, this phenomenon makes for beautiful photos of tall glass-and-steel buildings framing the radiant sun on every cross street that enjoys unobstructed sight lines to the horizon.
This event has been happening since the grid was conceived in 1811, but apparently no one had noticed and documented the phenomenon. I coined the term “Manhattanhenge,” evoking the solstice alignment of the rising sun at England’s prehistoric Stonehenge. I had visited the site on a science expedition when I was 15, and had always wanted some version of it for my home town.
Few people took notice initially, but now, thousands flood the Manhattan cross streets and block traffic to get a glimpse when those days arrive.
One of the best views is from the Tudor City overpass, which allows your sightline to trace the exact middle of 42nd Street without standing in the middle of 42nd Street.
On a Manhattanhenge day a few years ago, I parked my body early on that overpass, where hundreds more people would eventually arrive.
About 10 minutes before sunset, I was standing and talking about Manhattanhenge to some strangers next to me when a loud, raspy voice called out from several rows back: “Down in front, sonny!!”
In my mind, I shouted back: “Lady, do you know who I am? If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be here on this overpass.”
But in reality, I politely apologized for blocking her view and quietly sat back down, allowing all behind me to enjoy the spectacle.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson
As published in the New York Times, Metropolitan Diary, July 12, 2026
July Dates 2026
Full Sun on the grid: Saturday, July 11 at 8:20 p.m. EDT
Half Sun on the grid: Sunday, July 12 at 8:21 p.m. EDT
Read more about Manhattanhenge here. (The American Museum of Natural History)
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