Although rain obscured the view of Manhattanhenge this year, its allure remains strong. Coined by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the phenomenon symbolizes the intersection of celestial events and urban design. The alignment of sunsets with Manhattan's grid invites reflection on both cosmic significance and human ingenuity, despite the city's primary focus on commercial success. Even amidst crowds of runners unaware of the event's significance, the notion of Manhattanhenge inspires appreciation for the harmonious relationship between the cosmos and concrete architecture.
I love Manhattanhenge, whether I can see it or not. It's when the cosmic universe above seems to acknowledge our man-made one below.
Neil deGrasse Tyson coined the term Manhattanhenge to evoke the mystery of Stonehenge, where the sun aligns with the solstice.
There must be some cosmic reason our avenues are rotated about 30 degrees east of the north-south axis, allowing us to worship the sun on exactly four days a year.
Of course, cosmic considerations were the last thing on the Commissioners' minds when they devised the 1811 plan to bury Manhattan's hills, fields, marshes, and streams beneath a rigid street grid.
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