Overview
- The American Museum of Natural History confirmed a “full sun on the grid” on Saturday, July 11 at about 8:20 p.m. EDT and a “half sun on the grid” on Sunday, July 12 at about 8:21 p.m. EDT.
- The effect occurs because the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811 rotated Manhattan’s street grid roughly 29–30 degrees from true north so the sun’s seasonal shift along the horizon lines up with east–west cross streets twice in May and twice in July.
- The Hayden Planetarium and reporting outlets recommend prime viewing along 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd and 57th Streets, and advise arriving well before sunset because the alignment lasts only minutes and popular spots fill fast.
- Photographers favor locations that give iconic skyline framing, such as 34th and 42nd Streets, the Tudor City Overpass for a postcard angle, or Hunter’s Point South Park in Queens for a wider view across the river.
- The broader 'Manhattanhenge Effect' runs from late May through July 12, draws thousands of viewers each year, and offers a clear, plain demonstration of how city planning and Earth’s orbit combine to create a fleeting visual event.