Manhattanhenge Photos

On just two days each year, the sun sets in perfect alignment with the Manhattan grid of streets. This creates a spectacular effect that has been called Manhattanhenge in tribute to Stonehenge, where the sun rises in perfect alignment with several of the stones during the summer solstice.

I set out to photograph Manhattanhenge on July 12, 2009. My destination was 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue, where a pedestrian bridge offers a bird's-eye view across 42nd Street and into the sunset. Unfortunately, the prime spots had been staked out long before I arrived, so I joined the crowd of photographers and gawkers on the sidewalks below.

After daring a few shots from the middle of 42nd Street, I settled in at the crosswalk at 42nd and 2nd Avenue. Here, dozens of us waited patiently for the walk signal, then dashed into the middle of the street to snap photos until someone yelled, "Green light!" Then we all scurried to the sidewalks again to wait for our next chance to stare into the sunset.