Manhattanhenge brightens Memorial Day skies this evening for New Yorkers as the sun aligns with the city's east-west streets. The solar alignment with the city's street grid occurs twice a year in a phenomenon that has become hugely popular with tourists and veteran New Yorkers alike.
According to CNN, tonight at approximately 8:12 p.m. EST and again on Monday, May 30, at the same time, the sun will apparently set right between New York City's numbered streets. The sun's setting rays will be reflected in all the street and store fronts and cast a visible fiery glow onto the street. If you miss Manhattanhenge this time around, there will be another solar display on July 11 and 12.
Today, May 29, spectators will be able to see a half sunset flooding the city's streets with an orange-red glow. Tomorrow, on May 30, a full sunset will be on view. Manhattanhenge doesn't always occur exactly on the Memorial Day weekend. Each year, the dates of Manhattanhenge are spaced equally around the summer solstice, which occurs when the sun is at its closest point to Earth.
Manhattanhenge is has become a not to be missed event with tourists and locals alike. People gather in various spots to capture the best images of the solar phenomenon. The crowds looking to capture the images are known to stop traffic to take their shots or sit for hours to stake out a prime spot for the display. Given the Memorial Day holiday, crowds are likely to be even bigger than usual.
