Every year, New Yorkers stand in the middle of busy Manhattan streets to catch a snapshot of the sun perfectly aligned with the street grid .
This phenomenon is known as Manhattanhenge , and was discovered and named by Neil deGrasse Tyson, who also owns the copyright. The event only happens four times a year , and the American Museum of Natural History just announced the 2017 dates.
Monday, May 29, at 8:13 p.m. (Half Sun)
Tuesday, May 30, at 8:12 p.m. (Full Sun)
Wednesday, July 12th at 8:20 p.m. (Full sun)
Thursday, July 13th, at 8:21 p.m. (half sun)
The best locations for a great view are "large cross streets like 14th, 34th, 42nd, 57th and 79th ." Show up much sooner to get a good spot.
On May 30 there will be a public program (from 7 p.m.) highlighting the history and astronomy of this spectacle. It will be held at the Hayden Planetarium and will be presented by Jackie Faherty, a research associate in the museum's astrophysics department.