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July 11, 2005
Vishy's Useless Factoid of the Day #16: Manhattanhenge
Manhattanhenge is a unique phenomenon that occurs on the island of Manhattan on May 28th and July 12th every year. On this day, the sun sets flush along every Manhattan cross street. The name is by direct analogy to Stonehenge, the ancient Celtic structure along whose length the sun rises and sets on the day of the Summer Solstice, June 21. If the island of Manhattan were oriented exactly east-west, Manhattanhenge would happen on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.
A similar phenomenon happens twice in the winter along MIT's Infinite Corridor, once in November and once in January. By the same analogy, this phenomenon is called MITHenge.
The beauty of both the above phenomena must be seen to be believed. Manhattan's streets and the Infinite Corridor light up in a fiery orange. Watching the sunset on these days fills me with awe at the precision with which all of nature operates. Try it -- you'll probably feel everything is right with the world.
Posted by Vishy at July 11, 2005 09:42 PM