NYC residents. This evening(Wednesday), take a break from your

[alfredo]

politics and worries and watch a wonderful display in your fair city.


http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

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.

[NYC]

1. Thank you very much.

I'll write down May 28 and July 12. I've seen some sunsets looking down unobstructed streets. They're very nice.

[alfredo]

3. Drivers won't like it, but that's their problem.

[NYC]

4. The drivers heading east will be fine.

:)

I would say the drivers heading west should look on the bright side, but that's what they'll be doing.

I love the idea that we have our own solstice. :) I'll memorize these dates.

[alfredo]

5. You will need a special street where you

and your friends can congregate to watch the show.

[NYC]

6. Make it an annual event?

I guess we won't need a special street since it is supposed to be all streets. :)

I've seen the sunset on our non-"solstice" days. Sometimes, walking home, there's a clear view to the west, and I see a sunset. It's nice.

Sometimes in the morning, around 9 a.m., I see the moon in the sky if I walk west on 42nd St. I'm always tempted to tell people around me to look at the moon. I don't know if I'm the only one who thinks it's a big deal to seen the sun in the east and the moon in the west at the same time. I like it.

Strange as it sounds, I even saw the big dipper out my window once. I was astounded. Didn't know we ever got such a clear view of the night sky.

[alfredo]

7. Never turn down a reason to get drunk with friends.

Find a street with impressive architecture and a friendly pub. At the appropriate time, do your viewing then retire to your selected bar and get shit faced. find a good name for the event: "Sundown, bottoms up!"


One year my wife and I had a party. It had been raining and the night crawlers were out everywhere, but that didn't keep us from dancing the night away. The party was so good we held the party every year. When we sent out the invitations we called it "The Night Crawler Stomp."

[NYC]

8. That's excellent advice.

I'll try to follow it. :hi:

[alfredo]

9. Traditions can be good.

Ignoring advice can be good too.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Thank you -- I love New York! nt