-- --

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Manhattanhenge, in Midtown

Manhattanhenge, NYC
Photo by myself in Midtown.

Stepping out of the office Wednesday, I was blinded by the sunset. All the taxis on the street were bathed in the delicious glow of light. Yes, it's Manhattanhenge (or thereabouts).

So named after Stonehenge, Manhattanhenge is the phenomenon where the position of the sun aligns with the street grid of Manhattan. Last night, the sun was not exactly in the center of the street, but it was pretty darned close. People were stumbling down sidewalks toward the sun, which was framed by buildings.

Technically, Manhattanhenge falls on May 28th and July 12th or 13th, which are to either side of the summer solstice. Of course, the sun aligns with the streets at both sunset and sunrise. Just be sure to not look into the sun too long ;-)

The Gothamist wrote about Manhattanhenge and published photos a few weeks ago in late May.

Related posts: Sunset Along the West Side Highway, Strange Skies Above Sunset Park, Brooklyn and Sunset Outside Battery Park City.

19 comments:

Robert said...

Stunning... just beautiful! Great place great time, I would call that perfect timing! Great pic Kitty

Olivier said...

superbe coucher de soleil dans le grand canyon de manhattan

frankdejol said...

Superb shot !

Nori Katayama said...

breathtaking...picture!

matt said...

cool shot, all we need is a druid or two !!

mafalda said...

Ognuno sta solo
sul cuor della terra
trafitto da un raggio di sole
ed è subito sera
(Salvatore Quasimodo)

Ken said...

Robert said it all for me stunning. That little bit of sunlight escaping out thru the buildings is perfect.
Psst, my new website is up and running. Check it out when you can. :)

Pat said...

Never heard about Manhattanhenge, but it is an apt term!

Washington said...

Hi Kitty.

Very interesting. Can't wait to see and shot that.

Terry at Blue Kitchen said...

I first heard of Manhattanhenge a few years ago, Kitty. What a cool phenomenon. Glad you captured it and shared it here!

cheeky rose said...

there are some moment in life you just need to be there to enjoy the experience, alternatively captured in aphoto let you enjoy it again and again

Anonymous said...

Surely a poetry kind of photography. Chapeau !

daily athens

Ken Mac said...

you caught it! stunning light! The old luck is in a weird little area behind St Lukes hospital near Harlem. Really beautiful doorway too...

elsie said...

enchanting...

dianasfaria.com said...

what a great capture. I hope I am in Manhattan in July to see this for myself!

Biana said...

Stunning photo! Amazing shot!

Banjo52 said...

Excellent pic, and Manhattanhenge is new and interesting info to me. No matter how many times I hear how it's all about the light, some shots scream the truth of that more than others.

emma said...

this picture is lovely.

Fredrik said...

In my opinion your best pic so far. It's a 10. Congrats!