Today's 'Chicagohenge' was pretty stellar

Today was the first day of fall, also known as the autumnal equinox, which means the plane of the earth's equator was in line with the center of the sun. That alignment causes the sun to rise directly in the east and to set directly in the west. This creates a phenomenon affectionately dubbed "Chicagohenge," as the sun pops up and disappears along the horizon exactly between the city's buildings. New York has a similar event called "Manhattanhenge," but because that bourgeois East Coast island's grid system is askew, it doesn't occur on the equinox. 

This only occurs twice a year (the other day being the first day of spring, or the vernal equinox), and its fleeting nature makes it all the more beautiful. 

The sunrise was amazing in the Loop, but not many people are out and about downtown at 6:39am

 

A photo posted by Matt (@chicagomatt) on Sep 23, 2015 at 5:47am PDT

by robatchi: #Chicagohenge time of year. pic.twitter.com/hvuMZd78Ir

— Chicago Photos (@ChiPhotos) September 23, 2015

 

A photo posted by piffnainteasy (@piffnainteasy) on Sep 23, 2015 at 5:19am PDT

 

Got up a bit early to get out and attempt to get a shot of #chicagohenge. Gotta thank mom for bringing the dates to my attention. Thanks Ma! #chicago #chicagohenge2015 #nofilter #sunrise #fall #autumn #nature #city #architecture #urban

A photo posted by Matt McNamara (@mmcnama4) on Sep 23, 2015 at 5:09am PDT

The sunset wasn't too shabby either

 

[ #chicagohenge - Pilsen edition ]

A photo posted by James (@jamvan16) on Sep 23, 2015 at 5:56pm PDT

 

The Equinox on Adams #chicagohenge

A photo posted by Will (@remy.raccoon) on Sep 23, 2015 at 5:39pm PDT

 

#Chicagohenge. Happy First Day of Fall! #equinox #autumnalequinox #chicago #chicagoloop #theloop #fall #autumn #chicagohenge2015 #firstdayoffall #firstdayofautumn

A photo posted by Jeff Espiritu (@jeffjespiritu) on Sep 23, 2015 at 4:52pm PDT