New York's streets align for Manhattanhenge natural lightshow

The planets have aligned. Today marks one of the rarest and most phenomenal natural light shows on the planet: "Manhattanhenge".

As a spectacle it's right up there with the Aurora Borealis (and down there with the Aurora Australis), but happens just twice a year New York's Manhattan Island.

If you don't know what this means allow us to shed some light on the matter.

In 2002 the astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson observed something very peculiar happened in the streets of Manhattan. He predicted that twice a year the city's grid-system bocks would align directly with the path of the sun, blinding traffic and delighting photographers.

He coined the term "Manhattanhenge", after the mysterious stone blocks in rural England which were placed to align with the heavens.

Although Manhattan's lightshow happens by an accident of civic planning rather than the designs of mysterious Iron Age druids, it's become an event in the city's calendar.

Twice a year Manhattanhenge lights up the Instagram feeds of the New York's 9 million inhabitants.

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When can I see it?

Right now. Wednesday May 30 at 8.12pm, New York time.

If you're not in the city you've missed it.
But don't worry, there's another chance this year to catch the spectacle on July 12 8.20pm and July 13 8.21pm.

If you're feeling a little less spontaneous, it comes round again in 2019 on Monday, May 29, at 8:13 p.m. and Tuesday, May 30, at 8:12 p.m. for full dusk sunset.

Image 1 of 5: The sunset from 42nd st during Manhattanhenge, New York. Photo by Vanessa Carvalho, Getty Images

Where can I see it?

If you're in the city – head to 14th, 34th, 42nd, 57th and 79th streets for the clearest views east to west.

But if you're after the money shot, head to the water for a spectacular skyline view. North Brooklyn or ideally Hunter's Point, in Long Island.

Theres a super neat website put together to spot a clear path to the best views in the city.
Visit nychenge.com and start planning your next celestial city break to New York.

Prepare for crowds.

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Photography tips: capturing #manhattanhenge

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