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What is Manhattanhenge? Stunning pics show gorgeous NYC phenomenon that will NOT be seen again in 2022

Manhattanhenge, a unique urban phenomenon, set for the last time this year in the New York City

The much-awaited New York City's Manhattanhenge just gave the New Yorkers a splendid evening and a chance to witness this marvelous urban phenomenon and an opportunity to get that perfect photo of the setting sun between New York's skyscrapers on Monday, July 11 evening at 8:20 pm. The setting sun painted the sky reddish-orange while the full sun on view above the city horizon. The best places that were able to have the best view of the event were on most of New York's major cross streets near downtown, including 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th Streets.

Manhattanhenge only happens four times each year. This year, the first two occurrences were on May 29 and May 30. Manhattanhenge is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the sun perfectly aligns with the buildings of New York City, creating the illusion that the sun is setting equally on both sides of the street. According to the American Museum of Natural History, New York City is uniquely laid out with a grid system that looks directly onto a clear view of the horizon (the Hudson River offers this on the West side).

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So many pictures surfaced on the Internet of New York City's Manhattanhenge. Here you can see the stunning pictures of the Manhattanhenge. 

A user shared a photo from the above angle. "Another angle on #Manhattanhenge #Manhattanhengejuly11 from above looking down on the crowds on 42nd St waiting to capture the perfect shot of the sunset lining up with the street grid. that New Yorkers are stopping traffic for a sunset!", he wrote. 

New Yorkers could be seen enjoying the beautiful setting and capturing the most stunning shots of the sunset rays breaking through the tall buildings. The urban phenomenon occurs for only few minutes. Let's get into more about Manhattanhenge. Manhattanhenge got its name from an analogy to Stonehenge, in a 1997 article by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History and a native New Yorker. The same phenomenon happens in other cities with a uniform street grid and an unobstructed view of the horizon.

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Next chance to see Manhattanhenge

If you missed the Manhattanhenge on July 11 then here is another chance for you to witness the beautiful phenomenon again on Tuesday, July 12 at 8:21 pm  ET, but only half the sun will be visible. The best places to view the celestial event are on most of New York's major cross streets near downtown, including 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd and 57th Sts. The American Museum of Natural History recommends sunset watchers go as far east as possible while still having an eye on New Jersey across the Hudson River. The striking sunset can also be observed from Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens.

Share some of your pics of the Manhattan sunset with us.