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
- Roosevelt Island Weekly Recap: Community Life, Local News, and Everyday ConnectionsOur Roosevelt Island weekly recap covers local news, community events, and the threads of daily life connecting neighbors on and off the island.
- Queens News Highlights and Roosevelt Island Community ConnectionsExplore the week’s Queens news highlights and Roosevelt Island community connections, from public safety to housing, historic places, and local events.
- How Queens News Shapes Life on Roosevelt Island This WeekExplore how Queens news shapes life on Roosevelt Island, from major fire responses to local court cases and housing initiatives, reflecting the rhythms and routines of our shared city life.
- Queens Community Updates: Transit Projects, Public Safety, and Neighborhood EffortsQueens community updates including transit projects, public safety developments, and neighborhood efforts, with special relevance for Roosevelt Island residents.
- How Roosevelt Island Responds to Change and Challenge Across the East RiverExplore how Roosevelt Island responds to change and challenge across the East River, reflecting on community adaptation, safety, transit, civic life, and neighborhood rhythms.
A Different Kind of Bet
For years, Roosevelt Island did not behave like a system constrained by limits. Internally, the budget was often treated less as a boundary and more as a reservoir to be used.
