Photo by Dan Nguyen on Flickr

Twice every year, the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s street grid, making for a picturesque moment that brings New Yorkers a much-needed moment of calm. This effect, dubbed Manhattanhenge by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, first blanketed the city streets with the sun’s glow on May 29 before making its final appearance on July 12.

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Photo via d26b73 on Flickr

Despite all of the life changes New Yorkers are currently grappling with, some things remain the same. The annual magic of Manhattanhenge has officially returned, bringing a much-needed moment of zen to the city. Twice a year the sunset aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s street grid, providing a picture-perfect glow radiating between two skyscrapers. As first reported by Gothamist, the phenomenon took place on May 30, with the second event happening on July 12.

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Via Flickr

An event that makes even locals stop and stare returns to New York City tomorrow night. Manhattanhenge, when the sunset aligns with the east-west streets of the borough’s grid, happened on May 29th and 30th, and the final two days of the phenomenon returns for the last time this year tonight and tomorrow at 8:20 p.m. and 8:21 p.m., respectively. Not only does the setting sun sit perfectly between Manhattan’s many skyscrapers during this biannual event, but an orange-yellow glow hits north and south side streets, creating a picture-perfect moment.

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Photo via d26b73 on Flickr

While the biannual sunset that aligns perfectly between two skyscrapers in Manhattan is perhaps the best known ‘henge,’ it’s certainly not the only one. Because every neighborhood in New York City features its own pattern of a street grid, each has its own henge days (h/t NY Times). An interactive map called NYCHenge displays where mini-henges happen for every sunset throughout the year, allowing outer-borough residents to snap a solid sunset picture nearly every day.

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Photo via Corey Menscher/Flickr

Coolest astrophysicist on Earth Neil deGrasse Tyson reminds us that the otherworldly phenomenon called “Manhattanhenge” is happening this evening. At two times during the year, New Yorkers can see a full sunset perfectly lined up through the streets and high-rises–Wednesday, May 30th at 8:12pm and Thursday, July 12th at 8:20pm. And two other times, you can see a half sunset perfectly lined up where half the sun is above the horizon and half is below–Tuesday, May 29th at 8:13pm and Friday, July 13th at 8:21pm.

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• Apparently, people in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have a very hard time spelling Hanukkah. [Mental Floss]
• The first Manhattanhenge occurs this weekend. Here’s the full summer schedule for the phenomenon. [Gothamist]
• Revisiting the early days of the Chrysler Building as it turns 85. [Curbed]
• Battery Park is now just the Battery. And its SeaGlass Carousel of 30 giant fish is opening this summer. [NYT]
• Laura Keene’s Theatre: a lost NYC theater with a connection to Lincoln’s assassination. [Off the Grid]
• Are these the 20 best bar names in the city? [DNAinfo]

Images: Manhattanhenge via Manhattanhenge Sunset From 33rd Street via photopin (license) (L); SeeGlass Carousel (R)

While there is no shortage of stunning views in New York City, some are more expensive to own than others. But here’s one that won’t cost you a cent and belongs to everyone – well, at least for the two times a year the Neil deGrasse Tyson coined “Manhattanhenge” makes its spectacular appearance.

more on the history here