The last Manhattanhenge of 2024 is here: NYC sunset spectacle to draw crowds this weekend

Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY

Summer is far from over, but New York will be experiencing its final Manhattanhenge of the year this weekend.

Manhattanhenge occurs when "the setting Sun aligns precisely with the Manhattan street grid, creating a radiant glow of light across Manhattan's brick and steel canyons, simultaneously illuminating both the north and south sides of every cross street of the borough's grid," according to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).

"A rare and beautiful sight," the museum says about the phenomena.

Friday and Saturday's Manhattanhenge will be the last one for this year. Here's what to know about this spectacular sunset that is not one to be missed if you are in the city.

People gather to watch the sunset during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, when the sun lines up with the Manhattan street grid, in Long Island City in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S., May 28, 2024.
People gather to watch the sunset during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, when the sun lines up with the Manhattan street grid, in Long Island City in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S., May 28, 2024.

When is Manhattanhenge? Time, date

New Yorkers and tourists will be able to witness a full Manhattanhenge at 8:20 p.m. ET on Friday, July 12 during which the whole sun will appear like a ball between the grids, unless the clouds obstruct the view, according to the AMNH. A Manhattanhenge will also take place on Saturday, July 13 at 8:21 p.m. ET, but this one will only see the top half of the sun aligning with the city grid.

The Manhattanhenge phenomenon occurs only twice a year: two days in May and two days in July. The celestial event was previously observed on May 28 and 29.

Will there be another Manhattanhenge in 2024?

No. Saturday's Manhattanhenge will be the last one for this year.

People gather to watch the sunset during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, when the sun lines up with the Manhattan street grid, in Long Island City in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S., May 28, 2024.
People gather to watch the sunset during a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, when the sun lines up with the Manhattan street grid, in Long Island City in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S., May 28, 2024.

What is the best spot to see the Manhattanhenge?

For the best views of Manhattanhenge, NYC Parks and the museum recommend the following streets and spots:

  • 14th Street

  • 23rd Street

  • 34th Street

  • 42nd Street

  • 57th Street

  • Tudor City Overpass in Manhattan

  • Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens

NYC Parks also recommends arriving early to the suggested spots to get a good view because the spectacle lasts for only a few minutes.

When did Manhattanhenge start?

The sun sets in alignment with Manhattan streets running east-west, also known as Manhattanhenge, in New York City on May 30, 2023. Manhattanhenge occurs about the same two days in May and then again on two days in July every year.
The sun sets in alignment with Manhattan streets running east-west, also known as Manhattanhenge, in New York City on May 30, 2023. Manhattanhenge occurs about the same two days in May and then again on two days in July every year.

Jackie Faherty, an astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History, who determines the dates for Manhattanhenge each year told the New York Times that the earliest mention of the phenomenon that he was able to find was a 1997 comic strip published in the Natural History magazine.

However, Faherty reckons that people may have noticed the Manhattanhenge even before that given the grid-like layout of the city.

The term "Manhattanhenge," meanwhile, was coined by Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, in 2002, who was inspired by the ancient Stonehenge monument in England, according to the NYT.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Manhattanhenge 2024 dates are this weekend: See NYC's sunset spectacle

Advertisement