The Brian Lehrer Show July's Shooting Stars
Jul 10, 2025
Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, delves into the wonders of July's night sky. She explains the stunning Manhattanhenge event, where sunsets align spectacularly with the city's grid. Listeners discover the best spots for viewing and the beauty of the Summer Triangle and Milky Way. Faherty also highlights the upcoming meteor showers, including the Delta Aquarids and Perseids, offering tips for seeing them away from city lights. It's a celestial celebration that's both informative and enchanting!
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Manhattanhenge Solar Alignment
- Manhattanhenge aligns the setting sun perfectly with Manhattan's street grid for unique lighting.
- It shows how ancient timekeeping relied on solar position, making it more than just a sunset spectacle.
How to Watch Manhattanhenge
- Watch Manhattanhenge from the middle of a cross street on Manhattan's grid facing west near 8 PM.
- Stay on grid streets to see the sun perfectly aligned with the avenue canyon at sunset July 11-12.
Summer Triangle Explained
- The Summer Triangle is formed by stars Vega, Altair, and Deneb spanning three constellations.
- They are some of the brightest stars, visible even in light-polluted New York City skies if you look carefully.