Manhattanhenge from Hunters Point, Queens, May 28, 2004 (added 5/30/04)

Manhattanhenge Eve from 34th Street and Park Avenue, Manhattan, May 27, 2006 (added 6/27/06)

Manhattanhenge (Cloudy) from 42nd Street and Tudor City Place, Manhattan, July 12, 2006 (added 7/12/06)

Manhattanhenge from 42nd Street and Tudor City Place, Manhattan, July 13, 2006 (added 7/13/06)

Manhattanhenge from Gantry Plaza State Park, Queens, May 29, 2008 (added 5/29/08)

Most cities with a grid street system have streets aligned with true north, south, east and west. As a result, most commuters know when the equinox nears because the sun sets directly in one's eyes.

Since Manhattan's grid system is aligned in the direction the island points, its east-west streets diverge about 30 degrees from true east and west. This results in Manhattanhenge, which occurs when the sun sets in line with the canyons of buildings on east-west cross streets. Manhattanhenge happens twice a year on the days around May 28 and (roughly) July 12.