Manhattanhenge 2014: When And Where To Watch; Plus How To Take Perfect Photo Of NYC Sunset

Twice a year, the sun aligns precisely with the Manhattan street grid at sunset, sending a radiant glow from west to east across New York City's valley of skyscrapers. This stunning New York City phenomenon is known as Manhattanhenge, or Manhattan Solstice, and was popularized by American Museum of Natural History astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. According to the AMNH, Manhattanhenge 2014 will take place on May 29 through May 30 and July 11 thought July 12.

"A rare and beautiful sight," said Neil deGrasse Tyson. "These two days happen to correspond with Memorial Day and Baseball's All Star break. Future anthropologists might conclude that, via the Sun, the people who called themselves Americans worshiped War and Baseball."

At precisely 8:16 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, the sun will set on grid and sit half above and half below the horizon. At 8:18 p.m. on May 30, astronomical enthusiasts will see a full sun over the horizon align with the Manhattan grid.

The best places to watch the Manhattanhenge phenomenon include 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street, and 57th Street. Our favorite locations are 34th Street and 42nd Street, as the presence of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building will make Manhattanhenge an unforgettable experience. We recommend curious New Yorkers to find prime viewing spots as far east as possible without losing sight of New Jersey on the other side of the Hudson.

According to Business Insider, people heading out to see Manhattanhenge tonight are recommended to arrive thirty minutes in advance to ensure a prime viewing spot. We recommend everyone to bring along their favorite camera as well.

Both wide angle and long focus lenses are highly effective in capturing Manhattanhenge's beauty. Telephoto shots exaggerate the vanishing point and the tunnel vision created by the tall structures on the city streets. At the same time, wide view lenses are a favorite for story-telling detail of New York City itself. Frame the pictures with structures of interest such as the Empire State Building or Chrysler Building for some added style.

Shooting pictures that are pointed directly at the sun usually confuses the camera light meter and render images underexposed. We recommend playing around with manual exposure mode to get the best effect. Another trick is to point the camera at the sky with the sun slightly out of frame to fix the light meter before taking the shot.

Last but not least, don't forget to have fun and enjoy your evening in New York City! Check out the video below to learn more about what makes Manhattanhenge special.