Get your cameras ready: Chicagohenge is back.
From Thursday until Sunday, Chicagoans can get a glimpse of the sun perfectly aligning with Chicago’s east-west streets during sunrise and sunset. This unique phenomenon occurs because during the equinoxes, the Earth is not tilted toward or away from the sun; the sun follows a path across the celestial equator, Michelle Nichols, director of public observing at the Adler Planetarium, told the Sun-Times in 2019.
The name “Chicagohenge” is a nod to Stonehenge in England, a prehistoric monument that at certain points aligns with seasonal paths traveled by the sun.
And if you miss it this time around, put Sept. 22-25 in your calendar for your next chance to see Chicagohenge in all its glory.
What are the best times to see Chicagohenge?
The best time to view Chicagohenge is looking east or west around sunrise or sunset on these days leading up to or after the equinoxes, according to the Adler Planetarium’s website. You might not want to wait until Sunday, when cloudy skies and rain are in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
Thursday: Sunrise at 6:53 a.m. and sunset at 7:03 p.m.
Friday: Sunrise at 6:51 a.m. and sunset at 7:04 p.m.
Saturday: Sunrise at 6:49 a.m. and sunset at 7:05 p.m.
Sunday: Sunrise at 6:48 a.m. and sunset at 7:06 p.m.
Where are the best spots to see Chicagohenge?
Thanks to the city’s grid system, anywhere from one of Chicago’s east-west facing streets is a good spot, according to the Adler Planetarium. The Loop, however, with its tall buildings, may be an ideal place to admire the view.