Rab’s World

Photo by Lillergy

Sometimes referred to the Manhattan Solstice. This is a semi-annual occurrence in which the setting sun aligns with the east-west streets of Manhattan’s main street grid. The term is derived from Stonehenge, at which the sun aligns with the stones on the solstices. It was coined in 2002 by Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History. It applies to those streets that follow the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811 which laid out a grid offset 28.9 degrees from true east-west.

The Sun sets on the Hudson River side. The streets will glisten on Thursday, May 29th 2008 just after the official sunset hour of 20:18 hours. But, the streets (going west-to-east) will glow with a warm golden orange bath on Friday, May 30th. Expect the sky to be cloudless and a temperature around 77*F/25*C. The Sun will be in perfect alignment with all the island of Manhattan east-west streets just before it begins to disappear below the horizon around 20:10 hrs.

Last year, or the year before; I started on the 34th Street and 1st Ave and began walking briskly north capturing the ’solstice’ block by block, Interesting to say the least! The key is to see the Sun at the vanishing point of the street. Of course standing in the middle of the street looking toward the Hudson while on the eastern part of the island below 58th Street will offer you the best experience. [14th, 23rd, 34th, 42 and 57th are good.]

The next chance is July 12th, 13th or 14th.

You can also get a bugged-out effect being on the west Side highway of 10th or 11th and looking east. you will see a tremendous amount reflection on the buildings from the Sun’s orange glow.

What’s the relationship to Stonehenge? Certain stones seemed to line up with the midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset at this ancient set of monoliths in England.