By Vladimir Brezina
This week’s Photo Challenge is Split-Second Story, and Ailsa’s travel-themed photo challenge is Cities.
A perfect conjunction!
For yesterday and today were days of Manhattanhenge, that urban astronomical phenomenon in which the sun appears, for a brief moment just at sunset, at the ends of the cross-streets of Manhattan’s street grid.
Of course, the sun has to be visible at sunset. Yesterday was cloudy. Today was more promising. So I joined the Manhattanhenge-watching crowd—smaller than usual this year because of the uncertain weather—at 57th Street and Park Avenue. As we waited, a rain shower moved in. (Now I know how astronomers must feel, waiting nervously for that once-in-a-century conjunction or eclipse, only to have clouds move in at the last minute…)
But just at the moment of sunset, the sun appeared through the mist! I got a few photos.
But the visibility was not ideal, and in addition I realized only too late that at the end of 57th Street there is a big building, across the Hudson in New Jersey, that blocks the view! As another photographer standing next to me remarked, Jersey always screws things up…
The spectacle was much more impressive last year at 42nd Street:
… and in 2011 at 34th Street:
But there’s always another chance—Manhattanhenge repeats on July 11th and 12th!
Vladimir Brezina (RIP) 
Johna Till Johnson
Wind Against Current 
Reblogged this on Locating Frankenstein's Brain.
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Thanks!
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Stunning! I want to be there :)
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You can be! Next Manhattanhenge occurs on July 11 and 12, 2014 :-)
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Haha about that photographer’s comment. :-) I almost went to 57th Street yesterday, but I was feeling too lazy. Same for today. I may try in July.
Despite the not so ideal weather, your photos are ideal. Great shots!
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Having tried it once, I don’t recommend 57th Street. 34th Street, with the bonus of the Empire State Building towering above, is much better, and 42nd Street is even better, especially if you can manage to stand on that bridge that leads out of Grand Central over 42nd Street…
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Ooooh, dramatic to be sure. Just lovely!
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Thank you!!
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great combo – I agree – and nice split second take! :)
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Thanks!!
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Excellent capture, well done!
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Thank you! :-)
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4000 years from now, they will look at the ruins of the skyscrapers and wonder what significance they had. One archaeologist might suggest that they acted as some kind of astronomical observatory for viewing the sunset on particular day….
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Too funny!
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Yes, that’s exactly how Neil deGrasse Tyson, who popularized the concept of Manhattanhenge, writes about it :-)
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Nice captures! Very Pretty.
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Thank you!!
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Great shots!
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Thanks!! :-)
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Thanks for sharing – great pics of something I never knew about until this moment – what a cool thing to do!
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Year by year, the word is getting out… :-)
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Stunning photos as usual, Vlad. Love That setting sun looks so round. Usually sunsets are so bright that you can’t see the shape of the sun. Guess you were in the right place at the right time…like for most of your shots :)
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The ones I show, you mean… Thanks, Mabel!!
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Amazing shots, even if the weather didn’t play ball for you, you got some pretty stunning shots. Capturing the photographers and the car headlights has really made it. Love the one from 42nd street. Good luck in July!
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Yes, it’s often the photographers who are more interesting than the event itself :-)
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Great colours. Some reflected sun light high on a building left? Perfect Post (PP)
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Ideally, the last rays of the sun will flow all the way down the street and highlight all building facades and projections… I haven’t quite managed to see (and get a photo of) that, but I’ll keep trying :-)
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You got great sunset shots, I love it, and I like your idea of combining 2 challenges together.
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There are just too many challenges nowadays ;-)
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Spectacular!
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Thank you!
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A little offended (from NJ) but laughing heartedly while admiring your captures. I may take your advice for the next event and try 42nd street. M
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I was just neutrally reporting the conversation ;-)
42nd Street is good. Best if you arrive early and take your place on that bridge that leads from Grand Central over 42nd Street. Many others will be trying to squeeze in there too—on the other hand, the crowd will provide some protection from the cars zipping past :-)
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Wonderful to see!
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Thank you!!
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Incredible example of being in the right place at the right time. Did you plan it, or did you just happen to be there?
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It’s a regular astronomical event, and so forecasted to the second for thousands of years to come—until the solar system blows up or Manhattan crumbles, whichever comes first :-)
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Thank you for sharing these! Beautiful!!
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You are most welcome! Thank you!!
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beautiful clicks!!! :)
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Thank you!! :-)
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Fantastic! Last year I was in NY with my family, and we stayed in 41th street, but two weeks too early for this. But some year I’m gonna be there, on the right day!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
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Thank you, Marie—you too! :-)
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Well done! :)
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Thank you!!
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Remarkable set of photos, Vladimir… Thank you.
Best wishes to you, Aquileana :D
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Thank you and best wishes to you too, Aquileana!! :-)
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I remember this from your post last year, wonderful again!
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This year was disappointing, so I had to resurrect previous years :-)
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I don’t see how your years are ever disappointing but I’m sorry!
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Absolutely gorgeous shots! :-)
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Thank you!!
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Great captures, as always! Love the yellows! So dramatic!
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:-) Thank you so much!!
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Do you mean a whole year has flown by since your last post on Manhattanhenge?
THAT is scary.
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Afraid so… It is scary how that happens.
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Beautiful! I read about Manhattenhenge in the paper and thought it be fun to see and photograph. Maybe someday…
So glad I was able to experience it through your photos.
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The problem with Manhattanhenge is that although you know when it will occur to the minute for centuries ahead (literally), you never know until that last minute whether it will turn out to be a glorious sight or a damp squib… :-)
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Ha, there’s always the experience I guess….and you’ll always have street photography as a backup!
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Outstanding…
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Thank you!!
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Stunning! I don’t even know how you’re going to get any better shots! And the “Jersey always screws things up…” keeps cracking me up!
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After the first time, you go more to photograph the crowd than Manhattanhenge itself ;-)
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The wait was certain worth it. Thanks for introducing me to Manhattenhenge; that’s the beauty of blogging, traveling the world in virtual reality and experiencing it throughout the images of wonderful blogs like yours Vladimir :-)
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We are happy that you have finally discovered Manhattanhenge, as everyone must eventually ;-)
Thanks, Andrew, and thanks for following our blog!!
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Love your pictures, well done :-)
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Thank you so much, Anna! :-)
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I have read about, wonderful to see it like this!
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It’s different each year—sometimes a bit disappointing, but sometimes quite spectacular! :-)
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Reblogged this on Make My Trip Now.
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Thanks!
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