Last year, we missed our chance to see Manhattanhenge–an astronomical phenomenon occurring twice a year when the sun sets in perfect alignment with the Manhattan street grid (first described by Neil deGrasse Tyson). Buildings along the East-West streets glow and crowds gather in the final moments of daylight. This time, we joined the fray.
Yesterday was the first day this happens (July 12th is the other), but today (May 31st) and July 11th are also said to be spectacular.
Personally, I enjoyed watching the crowd–darting back and forth between light cycles, dodging traffic and then gaining critical mass such as to keep traffic at bay–just as much as the main spectacle.
Hope you all had a great holiday weekend! It sure felt like summer here–hot, hot, hot! Can you believe tomorrow begins the month of June already?
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
I don't think I ever witnessed this in person in all my years in NYC. But great photos! I love the shots of the crowd.
that is so cool, would love to be there and take some cool shots as well! and yes, it also feels like summer here in switzerland – so nice!!
I have never heard of it! Its beautiful. I love seeing new things about NY. So beautiful!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Wow, never heard of. That's amazing.
We ALWAYS miss this – July 12th is going on my calendar right now!
Also, I have a confession…I saw you two on Sunday night (it felt like a celebrity sighting!) but was too embarrassed to introduce myself
That's so funny, Kate! You totally should have said hello! Where'd we miss you?
WOW! There's a name for this phenomenon too?!…Interesting. I never heard of it before right….NOW! LOL
weird. never knew this existed.
I have never heard of this, and it is so unbelievably cool to me.
I love how New Yorkers, despite their reputation, really take advantage of their city and get excited by things like this. So fun and festive!
I was so mad I missed it—I totally forgot! I might try and stake out somewhere this evening to see the remnants.
This is so super cool! I've never heard of it either!
Ashley, at Barbuto! We were at the bar when you guys got there. I hope you had fun; it was the perfect place for a hot Sunday night!
This is so cool! Certainly an experience worth standing in the middle of NYC traffic for!
It's so true Branflake–I love seeing jaded NYers get excited about their city! (It's not as rare as one might think, actually.)
Barbuto was delicious, Kate! Sorry we missed you! We ended up getting a table on the street, which was heavenly for the breeze, and I fell in love with the crudi salad.
Wow you two did just the opposite of us. I am from Virginia and my wife is from Toronto and we are now both happily settled in San Diego! Enjoy the weather.
I can't believe I'll be missing this on July 12th! I'll be in California, which I was totally excited for until I just found this out… I'll just have to eat an extra fish taco on the 12th to make up for the sadness or something.
that is awesome!
I love that picture of everyone taking photos : )
spectacular and true that you learn something new every day! i love how everyone is gathered together
I love it when people point the camera away from the main event!
How LOVELY! I wish that I still lived in New York!
Thank you so very much for this post. I've been wracking my brain for weeks trying to remember the name of this event and now I have the name and the next date. Much gratitude!
Ive never heard of this before, and i have to say that its pretty cool, nice photos
Wow that is cool. I never saw this when I loved in NY. I missed out.
I love going to NYC, but I have never heard of this before! I was so intrigued by your pictures, I started asking coworkers if they had heard of 'Manhattanhenge" before and they said "of course!" I will definitely be checking it out next month…thanks for such a great post!
This is SO cool – I had no idea this happened. Glad you got to witness it!
not sure how I missed this day in the city! so cool! hope you dont mind i used one of your great pics on my blog!
love the blog too! great fun