Manhattanhenge is the modern equivalent of whatever happened at Stonehenge, thousands of years ago. Druids watched the sun stream past giant monoliths, carted in from miles away. In 2022, we do the same, but in either case, nobody really knows why.
By David Stone
Scientists think they know everything, and as long as you and I don’t know better, we might as well buy in. They say, before electricity was discovered or wheels invented, our ancient ancestors lugged rocks weighing tons over mile over mile of unpaved roads, building a sacrificial ceremony site.
This may strike you as strange, but remember, they didn’t have television for binging. What else were they going to do all summer?
Enough for the history.
What about Manhattanhenge 2022?
In a distant echo across the water, people gather on the densely populated slice of Manhattan schist to, like the Druids, watch the sun stream through towers of rock. Otherwise known as skyscrapers.
On four evenings every year, the sun setting over distant New Jersey aligns perfectly with Manhattan streets from Midtown to the Upper East Side.
What Exactly Is Manhattanhenge?
Every summer, crowds of people flock to the streets of Manhattan to catch a glimpse of a phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge. But what exactly is Manhattanhenge?
Manhattanhenge is a rare astronomical event whereby the setting sun aligns perfectly with the grid of Manhattan’s streets. This alignment only happens twice a year, and it offers a truly unique perspective on the cityscape.
For many New Yorkers, Manhattanhenge is an opportunity to appreciate the city in all its glory. The sun sets behind the skyscrapers, casting a beautiful glow over the concrete canyons. If you’re lucky enough to witness Manhattanhenge, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Partiers cluster in Times Square, but that’s for mass media. Real New Yorkers know that 72nd Street is the perfect location. On Roosevelt Island, that’s the East Promenade in the vicinity of Westview.
This year, the dates are in July, on the 11th and 12th.
100% Dependent on Weather
Even puffy clouds can screw up Manhattanhenge, blocking the sun’s magical rays. Here at the Roosevelt Island Daily, we’ve had a team of mathematicians diligently calculating the chance for a directly visible Manhattanhenge for 2021.
The most recent, precisely calculated percentage chances for seeing Manhattanhenge tonight or tomorrow are…
Or maybe a video will suffice…
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Octagon Park Lecture Nov. 16: Was the Park’s Plan a Success?Octagon Park lecture: architect John di Domenico revisits how the park was planned 35 years ago and whether it worked. Free, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., island library.
- Friday’s PSD blotter: two theft reports at 425 Main, three hospital runsRIOC’s Nov. 13 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents, all on Main Street, including two petit larceny reports at 425 Main Street, three hospital transports and five entries at 546 Main.
- Variety Boys and Girls Club Sale: Astoria Property Sells for $28 MillionThe Variety Boys and Girls Club sale brings $28 million for its longtime Astoria property. Questions remain about the building’s future and youth programs.
- Fall Prevention for Seniors: Make Your Apartment Safer, Nov. 20Fall prevention for seniors: Sen. Krueger’s Nov. 20 virtual roundtable tours a typical NYC apartment, with tips on landlord changes and balance. RSVP on Zoom.
- Thursday’s PSD blotter: two hospital runs, a trespass summons at 888 MainRIOC’s Nov. 12 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents: six medical calls, two alarms at 546 Main Street, and a late-night trespass at 888 Main Street that ended with a summons.
The Contractor RIOC Wasn’t Allowed to Remember
Professor Lydia W. Tang recognized the name LiRo-Hill. During the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s September 10, 2026 board meeting, Chief Operating Officer Mary C. Cunneen presented eleven construction management firms recommended for contracts lasting up to six years.
