(CNN) — It’s a magical, fleeting moment that can leave viewers awestruck: The sun aligns perfectly through spaces between carefully constructed monolithic structures to cast an amazing beam of light.
No, we’re not talking about the ancient site of Stonehenge in the English countryside.
Light from the sunsets shoots down roads running east to west with no blockage from the borough’s famous skyscrapers on Friday and Saturday (July 12 and 13, 2019). You might want to seek out a good spot about a half hour before sunset.
Be positioned well when the time comes, as the effect lasts only a few minutes.
You’ll see a full sun on the grid at 8:20 p.m. Friday. You’ll see half of the sun’s orb peeking up at 8:21 p.m. Saturday.
What causes it?
The sun sets on the horizon across 42nd Street. The effect only lasts a few minutes, so find a spot before sunset.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Where does the name come from?
Where to see it?
14th Street is a popular gathering spot for Manhattanhenge.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
“For best effect, position yourself as far east in Manhattan as possible. But ensure that when you look west across the avenues, you can still see New Jersey.” He lists the following streets as particularly good ones since they are wider:
— 14th Street
— 23rd Street
— 34th Street
— 42nd Street
— 57th Street
CNN’s Brandon Griggs contributed to this report from previously published material.