On Thursday and Friday evenings, the setting sun will align with Manhattan’s street grid, producing the Manhattanhenge effect. Manhattanhenge occurs when the sun’s sunset position matches the geometry of the city’s rotated grid, making the sun appear suspended between rows of skyscrapers. The first 2026 dates are May 28 at 8:14 p.m. EDT for a “half sun on the grid” and May 29 at 8:13 p.m. EDT for a “full sun on the grid.” The half-sun moment is often considered more photogenic because the sun “kisses the grid,” while the next evening frames the entire solar disk between buildings. Shortly after sunset on Friday, a seasonal Blue Moon will rise, allowing two sky events within minutes.
"On Thursday and Friday evenings, the setting sun will align perfectly with Manhattan's famous street grid, while a seasonal Blue Moon will rise shortly after sunset on Friday - giving skywatchers a chance to witness two striking astronomical events within minutes of each other."
""Manhattanhenge" occurs when the setting sun aligns precisely with Manhattan's grid of streets, creating the illusion of the sun suspended between rows of skyscrapers. The phenomenon happens because Manhattan's grid is rotated about 30 degrees east of true north. As the sunset position migrates northward, approaching the summer solstice, there are four evenings each year when the geometry aligns perfectly with the streets."
"According to the American Museum of Natural History, the first 2026 dates are: Thursday, May 28, at 8:14 p.m. EDT - "half sun on the grid." Friday, May 29, at 8:13 p.m. EDT - "full sun on the grid." The "half sun" event is often considered the more photogenic moment because the sun appears to "kiss the grid," with half the solar disk dipping below the horizon."
"The second celestial event this weekend is a seasonal Blue Moon - the third full moon in a season containing four full moons. Unlike the phrase "once in a blue moon""
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