Connect with us

Published

on

Crowds gathered in New York on Tuesday evening as onlookers tried to catch a glimpse of ‘Manhattanhenge’.

The solar event that brings New Yorkers to the streets twice a year will continue tonight before disappearing from the skies once again.

So what is ‘Manhattanhenge’?

New York City is built on a grid. It’s a practical way of city planning, but also means that in May and July some of its long, straight streets become filled with light equally on both sides.

The setting sun perfectly lines up with Manhattan's grid. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The setting sun perfectly lines up with Manhattan’s grid. Pic: Reuters

It gets its name from Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. During the summer solstice, Stonehenge comes to life as the sun aligns with its standing rocks.

In a similar way, the streets of Manhattan fill with golden light when the setting sun perfectly aligns with the city’s grid.

The phenomenon draws thousands of people out to try and catch a glimpse – and to get a good photo.

More on New York

Revelers gather at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice on 21 June 2023. Pic: AP
Image:
Revellers gathered at Stonehenge last year to celebrate the summer solstice. Pic: AP

Clouds thwarted them last night however, and the sun was mostly obscured.

There’ll be one more opportunity tonight, although the Met Office predicts the skies will be partially cloudy.

‘Manhattanhenge’ will then return on 12 and 13 July.

The American Museum of Natural History recommends 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street and 57th Street as good spots to watch the sunset.

“Find a spot as far east as possible that still has views of New Jersey across the Hudson River,” it says in a blog post on the phenomenon.

People gather to watch the sunset during Manhattanhenge on 28 May. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Onlookers try to grab a snap of ‘Manhattanhenge’ on 28 May. Pic: Reuters

Why does it happen?

The point at which the sun sets on the horizon creeps north until the summer solstice, on 20 July this year, and then moves back south. This is because the Earth tilts on its axis as it rotates around the sun.

“Manhattanhenge may be a unique urban phenomenon in the world,” according to the American Museum of Natural History because the borough has a clear view of the horizon unlike many grid cities and its roads are perfectly straight.

It’s a special year for astronomy in the US.

Read more from Sky News:
Ancient Egyptians performed cancer surgery, evidence indicates
Planet that could support human life discovered ‘close’ to Earth
New images help scientists understand how universe is changing

Last month, people across the US, Canada and Mexico were treated to a total solar eclipse. People cried and cheered as the sun became obscured by the moon.

Then, earlier this month, night owls around the northern hemisphere got a surprise treat as the Northern Lights lit up the sky.

The sun is in its most active period in its 11-year cycle, meaning there may be more Northern Lights displays in the very near future.

Continue Reading

US

Elon Musk says he’s created his own political party – the ‘America Party’

Published

on

By

Elon Musk says he's created his own political party - the 'America Party'

Elon Musk says he has created a new political party – the America Party –
after asking his followers if he should do so in an online poll.

It follows his public falling out with Republican President Donald Trump.

On Friday, the billionaire had asked his followers on X whether a new US political party should be created.

On Saturday evening he wrote on the same platform: “By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!

“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.

“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Trump threatens to ‘put DOGE’ on Musk

The world’s richest man made the announcement just one day after President Trump signed a tax-cut and spending bill into law on Friday, which Musk had fiercely opposed.

More on Elon Musk

Musk had previously said we would form and fund a new political party to unseat lawmakers who supported the bill.

From bromance to bust-up

The Tesla boss backed Trump’s election campaign with more than a quarter of a billion dollars, later rewarded with a high profile role running the newly created department of government efficiency (DOGE).

But observers of the two men, both with huge wealth and reputations, wondered how long the bromance would last.

Elon Musk receives a golden key from U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Donald Trump gave Musk a warm send-off in the Oval Office in May. Pic: Reuters

In May Musk left the role, still on good terms with Trump but criticising key parts of his legislative agenda.

After that, the attacks ramped up, with Musk slamming the sweeping tax and spending bill as a “disgusting abomination” and Trump hitting back in a barbed tit-for-tat.

Trump earlier this week threatened to cut off the billion-dollar federal subsidies that flow to Musk’s companies, and said he would even consider deporting him.

Continue Reading

US

Is this the most powerful Trump’s been?

Published

on

By

Is this the most powerful Trump's been?

👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈

Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ has passed and he’s due to sign it into law on Independence Day. Mark Stone and David Blevins discuss how the bill will supercharge his presidency, despite its critics.

They also chat Gaza and Ukraine, as Donald Trump meets with freed Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander and talks to Vladimir Putin.

If you’ve got a question you’d like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.

You can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel.

Continue Reading

US

At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

Published

on

By

At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

13 people have been killed in the US state of Texas after heavy rain caused flash flooding, according to local media reports.

Officials have also said more than 20 are missing from a girls’ camp in Texas.

As much as 10 inches (25 centimetres) of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.

Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far.

A flood watch issued on Thursday afternoon estimated isolated amounts up to seven inches (17 centimetres) of rising water.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the latest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

Trending