Chicagohenge: A Photographic Marvel

Chicagohenge is a captivating event that occurs biannually when the sun lines up directly with Chicago’s east-west streets. The city’s grid layout, which features streets intersecting at right angles, contributes to this extraordinary phenomenon. If you recall the classic pencil-and-paper game Battleship, the grid-like structure of the game mirrors how Chicago was designed.

In 1785, the Public Land Survey System was employed to organize land in Chicago for development. This grid system has roots in some of the earliest civilizations, including ancient Rome and Greece, and offers not only an easy navigation method but also spectacular architectural and astronomical occurrences like Chicagohenge.

Photo by Aveedibya Dey on Unsplash

Capturing the Moment

Photographers are drawn to Chicago during the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, when the sun rises and sets in nearly the same position. This alignment allows even novice photographers to capture stunning images of the sun framed perfectly between the towering skyscrapers at the end of a long street.

Regardless of your photography gear, the process is simple: head to the eastern end of a long street at sunset or the western end at sunrise. Position your camera, exercise a bit of patience, and voilà! You’ll have captured the sun resting on the horizon, centered in the street—welcome to Chicagohenge.

Nasa 2023

It may be too late for this year’s equinox, but be sure to mark your calendar for March 19 and September 22, 2024. Grab your camera or smartphone and make your way to Chicago for a chance to witness this incredible phenomenon.