The urban layout of Manhattan, which forms a checkerboard made up of perpendicular avenues and streets, gives rise to an unusual encounter between Nature and the city. Every year, at the end of May and the beginning of July, an exceptional sunset takes place. What makes it unique is its perfect alignment with the axis of several east-west oriented city streets. The star can be observed descending slowly over New Jersey, framed by the skyscrapers of Manhattan. A spectacle of great beauty that gives rise to shots worthy of postcards. Here are a few.
A word coined by Neil deGrasse Tyson
This event called “Manhattanhenge” occurred on May 30th. It was the astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson who coined this word in 2002. It comes from a contraction between Stonehenge and Manhattan. The famous scientist explained that the idea came to him when he visited the megalithic site in the UK where he saw the famous stones aligned with the Sun. For Neil deGrasse Tyson, “ the Manhattanhenge does not bring magic but majesty ».
A post shared by New York city Travel Tips © @newyorkcitytt
Image shared by mareks5050
Where to see the Manhattanhenge?
The Manhattanhenge is particularly visible from 14th, 23rd, 34th and 42nd streets in the city. It does not occur on two fixed dates, as it depends on the timing of the solstices and equinoxes. You should also know that there is an opposite phenomenon, that is to say a sunrise, which can be observed in the axis of the streets mentioned in early December and early January.
Other similar phenomena, including one in France
New York is not the only city designed on a checkerboard plan. This phenomenon of sunset and sunrise aligned with the streets exists elsewhere. There is a “Chicagohenge” which occurs on September 25 in the city of Chicago at the time of sunset. In Baltimore, the inhabitants can appreciate the phenomenon on March 25 and September 18 (sunrise) then on March 12 and September 29 (sunset). In Canada, a “Montrealhenge” occurs on July 12 in the city of Montreal and a “Torontohenge” takes place on October 25 and February 16 (sunset).
But it is not necessary to cross the Atlantic to observe such an event. Twice a year, in March and October, the city of Strasbourg is entitled to its “Strasbourghenge”. It occurs in the morning, when the rising Sun aligns itself perfectly with the spire of Strasbourg Cathedral in line with the penetrating A351 motorway.
The Strasbourghenge shared by fischer_photography
2023-07-12 14:45:00
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