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Manhattanhenge Returns with Stunning Sunset Views

By DNAinfo Staff on July 12, 2012 7:05pm  | Updated on July 12, 2012 7:47pm

Manhattanhenge drew out crowds of shutterbugs on Manhattan's cross streets Monday night in May.
Manhattanhenge drew out crowds of shutterbugs on Manhattan's cross streets Monday night in May.
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DNAinfo/Paul Lomax

MANHATTAN — Manhattanhenge is back, offering stunning views as the sun sets perfectly along the street grid of Manhattan Thursday about 8.25 p.m.

As it sets on Thursday night, the sun will appear as a semicircle on the horizon, wedged between rows of skyscrapers along Manhattan's east-west crosstown streets.

"A rare and beautiful sight," said astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium

For the best views, stick to the bigger cross-streets, such as 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd and 57th streets. Forty-Second Street has the clearest view across the island. Fourteenth Street and Eighth Avenue is another good viewing spot for those who want to stay Downtown.

Manhattanhenge occurs over two nights, with the full golden orb of the sun hovering on the horizon along the view corridor one night and the semicircle of the sun visible another night. The full-sun Manhattanhenge occurred Wednesday night.

While the most recent Manattanhenge in May was rained out, clear and sunny skies were forecast Thursday evening.

Manhattanhenge happens only twice a year so this will be New Yorkers' last chance to see the phenomenon until May 2013.