Manhattanhenge, first coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in 1997, only occurs four times a year – twice in May and twice in July. The spectacle occurs when the sun lines up with Manhattan's grid streets, creating a perfectly aligned sunset.

The "rare sunset" in New York City is a spectacular phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge. This event occurs only four times a year—twice in late May and twice in mid-July—when the setting sun aligns perfectly with the east-west grid of Manhattan's streets. During these few minutes, the sun frames the city's canyons of skyscrapers, bathing the cross-streets in a brilliant golden glow. The most popular viewing spots are the wide major thoroughfares like 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th Streets. For the best view, observers often head as far east as possible while still maintaining a clear line of sight to New Jersey across the Hudson River. This solar alignment creates a "Manhattan Solstice" that attracts thousands of photographers and onlookers to the city's asphalt corridors.