Twice a year, New Yorkers and visitors get to witness a fascinating phenomenon known as 'Manhattanhenge'
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It happens when the setting Sun aligns precisely with the Manhattan street grid, creating a radiant glow of light
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This alignment makes it look as if the sun is "setting" directly between the buildings, creating a stunning visual effect
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Residents flood the streets for a stunning view of the sun setting in the west, flanked by the city's famous streetscapes
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Though there is no fixed date, the unique event usually occurs three weeks before and after the solstice
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The first Manhattanhenge of 2024 happened Tuesday at 8:13 pm. More opportunities to see it will occur Wednesday, May 29, then again on July 12 and 13
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Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson coined this term in a 1997 article in the magazine Natural History. He said he was inspired by a visit to Stonehenge as a teen
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In the article, he drew a parallel between the "sun's rays striking the centre of the Stonehenge circle on the solstice" and the occurrence in Manhattan
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It happens because Manhattan was built with a grid system of streets running north-south and east-west
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14th Street and Broadway, 23rd Street and Broadway, 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, Tudor City Overpass overlooking 42nd Street are the prime viewing spots