The term 'city of gold' will apply directly to Manhattan on May 30^th, when the setting sun will align with street grids and bathe the NYC borough in a golden glow.

The phenomenon is referred to as "Manhattanhenge" and occurs twice a year with the full-sun and twice with the half-sun (when half the sun appears below the horizon at time of sunset).

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The term "Manhattanhenge" is a play on the historical Stonehenge site in the U.K. where the rising sun aligns with some of the stone monuments during the summer solstice every year.

Tomorrow, May 30^th, the full-sun Manhattanhenge is set to take place but will occur again on July 11, so mark your calendars, folks.

Sunset will happen at 8:18 pm, but not all spots in Manhattan are created equal. Astronomer Neil deGrasse Tyson, who coined the term "Manhattanhenge", recommends that those wishing to get an optimal view should head to the far east part of Manhattan while still keeping New Jersey visible down the avenues.

Ideally, 42^nd Street is considered to be the best place in the city to see Manhattanhenge, but also a little more crowded than some other spots in Manhattan.

Sunset gazers should also go out around 30 minutes before the sun is due to set in order to watch the sun descend past the city skyline.

According to AccuWeather, there may be some cloudy skies tonight but also clear intervals for optimal viewing.  

Manhattanhenge occurs because, outside of the spring and autumn equinox, the sun sets slightly off due west. As Manhattan's streets are not lined up with the compass, but rotated 30 degrees from due north instead of due east-west, the metropolis therfore can align perfectly with the setting sun four times per year, setting the city on fire with golden light.

Tagsmanhattan, henge, sunset, phenomenon, NYC