Crowds of New Yorkers and tourists packed the city’s streets on July 12, 2026, to watch the spectacular sunset align perfectly between Manhattan’s towering skyscrapers. Incredible pictures captured the glowing orange sun framed by the famous grid of buildings as hundreds paused to take photographs and videos of the rare event.
What Is Manhattanhenge?
Manhattanhenge occurs just four times a year, when the setting sun lines up with the borough’s east-west streets because of the unique angle of Manhattan’s street layout. The phenomenon, named after England’s Stonehenge by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, returned for its final summer alignment on July 12. The event formed part of a wider weeks-long period of dramatic sunsets across the city before the seasonal display comes to an end.
The Science Behind the Alignment
Despite taking place close to the summer solstice, Manhattanhenge did not actually occur on the longest day of the year. Instead, the event happened because Manhattan’s street grid is rotated around 30 degrees east of true north, rather than running exactly north to south. As the Earth traveled around the sun, the position of sunset gradually shifted along the horizon until it aligned perfectly with the city’s streets. The alignment occurred four times each year, twice before and twice after the summer solstice.
The Manhattanhenge Effect
Although Manhattanhenge is often associated with just four sunset alignments each year, the wider visual effect lasted much longer. The so-called “Manhattanhenge Effect” stretched across several weeks as sunsets gradually shifted into and out of alignment with the city’s famous grid. This year’s summer phenomenon began before July and concluded with Sunday’s final alignment. The extended display gave photographers numerous opportunities to capture dramatic images of sunlight pouring between the skyscrapers, even outside the precise alignment dates.
Upcoming Celestial Event: Partial Solar Eclipse
Skywatchers will not have long to wait before another celestial event arrives. New Yorkers are expected to witness a partial solar eclipse on August 12, when the moon will cover around 10% of the sun as viewed from the city. While the eclipse will be visible across much of North America and Europe, the most dramatic views are expected along a narrow path crossing Greenland, Iceland and Spain, where a total solar eclipse will occur. Though if you’re watching from New York, eclipse glasses will still be needed throughout the event because the sun will never be completely covered.
Reverse Manhattanhenge in Winter
Those who missed the summer spectacle will have another opportunity later in the year with the return of Reverse Manhattanhenge. Unlike the traditional event, which centers on dramatic sunsets, the winter edition features the rising sun shining through Manhattan’s streets at dawn. The phenomenon will offer onlookers another chance to capture the city’s famous skyline bathed in golden light.
