A Manhattan Sunset
			
		
		
		
			Today, if it is clear, 
Manhattan will flood dramatically with 
sunlight just as the Sun sets precisely on the 
centerline of every street.  
Usually, the tall buildings that line the gridded streets of 
New York City's tallest borough will hide the setting Sun.  
This effect makes Manhattan 
a type of modern 
Stonehenge, 
although only aligned to about 30 
degrees east of north.  
Were Manhattan's road grid perfectly aligned to east and west, 
today's effect would occur on the 
Vernal and 
Autumnal Equinox, 
March 21 and September 21, the only two days that the 
Sun rises and sets due east and west.  
If today's sunset is hidden by clouds 
do not despair -- 
the same thing happens every May 28 and July 12.  
On none of these occasions, however, should you ever 
look directly at the Sun.