Manhattanhenge: How to capture the New York City phenomenon for the final time in 2022

Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
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New York City residents and tourists will have the chance to see one of the concrete jungle's greatest spectacles on Tuesday for the final time this year: Manhattanhenge.

The made-for-Instagram moment occurs when the sun perfectly lines up with Manhattan's grid streets, as the sunset appears just on the street horizon. The term was first coined by astrophysicist and New York City native Neil deGrasse Tyson in 1997 as a nod to the Stonehenge monument in England.

"It’s insanely popular," Jackie Faherty, astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, told USA TODAY in 2020. "People plan their vacations around coming to NYC to see it."

Manhattanhenge is only visible four times a year, typically in the spring and the summer. Monday was the last chance to see the full sun in between buildings, and people flocked the streets of New York City to get a glimpse and capture the phenomenon on their phones. Now is the last chance to see Manhattanhenge until 2023.

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What time is Manhattanhenge?

The first three days of Manhattanhenge happened on May 29-30 and July 11. July 12 is the last day to see it in 2022, according to the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

Tuesday's spectacle will be a "half-sun Manhattanhenge." It will happen at 8:21 p.m. local time, and you better be on time to see it.

"Manhattanhenge lasts for only a few minutes at sunset – get there early!" the department says.

What is the best place to see Manhattanhenge?

To get the best view of Manhattanhenge, the city's parks and recreation department says people should go onto Manhattan's major cross streets that run from west to east, with nothing blocking the view to the west.

These are the streets the city recommends people go to:

  • 57th Street

  • 42nd Street

  • 34th Street

  • 23rd Street

  • 14th Street

  • Tudor City Overpass, Manhattan

  • Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens

If people want the perfect shot of Manhattanhenge, it's recommended to go further east.

People stand on an overpass over 42nd St. in Manhattan July 11, 2022 to photograph the phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge.
People stand on an overpass over 42nd St. in Manhattan July 11, 2022 to photograph the phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge.
The sun sets over Manhattan on 42nd street during Manhattanhenge in New York, July 11, 2022.
The sun sets over Manhattan on 42nd street during Manhattanhenge in New York, July 11, 2022.
The Manhattanhenge sunset is seen from East 42nd Street, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York.
The Manhattanhenge sunset is seen from East 42nd Street, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York.
People photograph the Manhattanhenge sunset from East 42nd Street, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York.
People photograph the Manhattanhenge sunset from East 42nd Street, Monday, July 11, 2022, in New York.
Pedestrians stop on 42nd St. in Manhattan July 11, 2022 to photograph the phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge.
Pedestrians stop on 42nd St. in Manhattan July 11, 2022 to photograph the phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge.
Pedestrians stop traffic on 42nd St. in Manhattan July 11, 2022 to photograph the phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge.
Pedestrians stop traffic on 42nd St. in Manhattan July 11, 2022 to photograph the phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge.
People take picture as the sun sets over Manhattan on 42nd street during the "Manhattanhenge" in New York on July 11, 2022.
People take picture as the sun sets over Manhattan on 42nd street during the "Manhattanhenge" in New York on July 11, 2022.
A Manhattanhenge sunset is visible in the Morningside Heights area of the borough of Manhattan in New York City on Monday, July 11, 2022.
A Manhattanhenge sunset is visible in the Morningside Heights area of the borough of Manhattan in New York City on Monday, July 11, 2022.

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What time is Manhattanhenge 2022? Where can I see it? What to know