Manhattanhenge / Man·hat·tan·henge / mænˈhæt.ən henj, manˈhatnˌhenj,mənˈhatnˌhenj/
: phenomenon where the sun aligns with New York City’s grid at sunset.
Etymology
“Manhattanhenge” is quite obviously a blend of the words “Manhattan,” meaning the city, and “henge.” The word “henge” comes from Stonehenge, a historical assemblage of upright Bronze Age monuments on Salisbury Plain, near Salisbury, England. Dating back to a Neolithic civilization 4,000 years ago, there are many mysteries and theories as to the origins and purposes of Stonehenge (Source: English Heritage). One of the more popular theories is that farming communities used it to observe the sun, based on the shadows and alignment of the stones. Stonehenge was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Read more about the timeline of Stonehenge at the British Museum.
Then, in the early 21st Century, we get the term, “Manhattanhenge.” In a recent article in the Washington Post, the link is confirmed:
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson coined the term in a 1997 article in the magazine Natural History. Tyson, the director of the Hayden Planetarium at New York’s American Museum of Natural History, said he was inspired by a visit to Stonehenge as a teenager. (Washington Post, their emphasis)
Similar to how Stonehenge has been used to celebrate the Summer Solstice, “Manhattanhenge” to local New Yorkers can represent either the opening or the peak of summer. Rays of sunlight create vibrant colors when the sun goes down, and the skyscrapers of New York City add more allure. Typically, the best views can be seen in Manhattan when looking down from 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street, or 79th Street. However, there is no need to run to those streets if it’s an inconvenience to your current path. Manhattanhenge often creates a fantastic glow that can be seen across the city.
If you are in New York, add the following days to your calendar to see the next Manhattanhenge!
- Saturday, July 12 at 8:22 pm ET
- Friday, July 11 at 8:20 pm ET
Source: ABC News