'Manhattanhenge' phenomenon returns to New York City

New Yorkers will experience a rarely seen skyline tonight and tomorrow, May 29-30, as the sunset will perfectly align with the Manhattan grid, illuminating the often shadowy streets.

Manhattanhenge, a phrase coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, happens only a few times each year -- each time drawing a huge crowd of pedestrians snapping photos of the sun appearing directly between the east-west line of skyscrapers.

A half-sunset is expected to occur tonight, May 29 at 8:12 p.m. ET and on Monday, July 13 at 8:21 p.m. ET.

However, the full sunset on the grid will happen this Saturday, May 30 at 8:12 p.m. ET, and again on July 12 at 8:20 p.m. ET.

For the best viewing experience, the Hayden Planetarium suggests that New Yorkers will want to position themselves as far east in Manhattan as possible and look west until you can still see New Jersey.