I’m willing to bet you’ve heard of Stonehenge. You know, that circle of massive stone rectangles that have something to do with outer space, or religion, or something mysterious but equally awe-inspiring. But you may not have heard of Manhattanhenge. What’s Manhattanhenge? It’s the phenomenon that takes place on Manhattan Island of New York City when the setting sun aligns perfectly with one of the Big Apple’s signature gridded streets. The best time to view it is 8:16 P.M. ET, or 8:24 P.M. ET on July 13.

For 2013, Manhattanhenge falls on May 28th and 29th, and it will happen again on July 12th and 13th so get your cameras ready. Arguably one of the most beautiful natural phenomenons available to witness, Manhattanhenge happens by utter chance.

Unlike Stonehenge, which was built intentionally for purposes unknown, Manhattanhenge is simply based on the change in the position of the sunset along the horizon throughout the year. The position of the sunset along the horizon slowly inches north, day after day, until we reach the first day of summer at which point it slowly makes its way south again we reach the first day of winter.

Because of its accidental nature, similar occurrences happen in cities throughout the world. For example. ‘Montrealhenge’ should be happening along with today and tomorrow, and then again on July 12th and 13th. ‘Torontohenge’ won’t be seen until around October 27th, and then again around February 12th. In Chicago, the setting sun lines up with the grid system on September 25, a phenomenon known similarly as, you guessed it, ‘Chicagohenge’. So, what about Bostonhenge?

For those who are camera ready and in the Manhattan area, be sure to take and upload plenty of pictures for all of our viewing pleasure. Who is going to be in Manhattan for the phenomenon and who is pumped to watch it happen?