Manhattanhenge

This past weekend we were treated to another pretty cool New York City phenomenon: Manhattanhenge. Manhattanhenge refers to the two times each year that the setting sun perfectly aligns with Manhattan's street grid. This phenomenon can actually be observed in any city with a rectangular street grid, but Manhattan is ideal because it is possible to see straight across the city (east to west) and across the Hudson River to New Jersey, with the tall buildings creating a canyon-like effect as they frame the sunset.

This year's first Manhattanhenge took place over Memorial Day weekend, when Molly, Heather and Zita were visiting. Remember our pictures of the Glee cast when we were doing our "stalking" outside Radio City Music Hall? You might have noticed an incredible light behind our subjects, and actually, many of our pictures didn't turn out because the cast was in silhouette. This was because we were facing west, and the sun was shining perfectly through the buildings during Manhattanhenge. Check it out:

The setting sun is getting in our way as we try to take pictures!

Here, Cory Monteith's head seems to be blocking the sun enough so this picture turned out okay.

Zita took this picture of Manhattanhenge as we walked home from Radio City

The second Manhattanhenge of the year took place this past Sunday and Monday. Monday ended up being really cloudy, though, so we were cheated out of our second day. On Sunday, Eric and I did a little walking around to enjoy the fancy sunset. The best views of Manhattanhenge are supposed to be from much farther east, and preferably down a street that provides a great backdrop such as 34th or 42nd Streets, which boast the Empire State or Chrysler Buildings. But, we were exhausted after our afternoon in Hoboken, so we stayed on the west side and still got some pretty great views.

Manhattanhenge from W. 57th St. and 9th Ave.

More west side Manhattanhenge

Isn't it cool? Just another neat thing about living in this city!