'Manhattanhenge': Thousands line streets of New York for glimpse of rare phenomenon

These stunning images have captured New York’s Manhattanhenge as thousands flooded the city’s streets to see the phenomenon.

New Yorkers dodged traffic for a photo opportunity of the phenomenon in which the setting sun aligns with the east-west streets of Manhattan's street grid system, creating a huge ray of light between the buildings.

Clear skies greeted onlookers allowing for a spectacular view as the warm glow of the sun was cast across the streets.

The marvel is named after Stonehenge in Salisbury, where thousands gather to watch the sunrise each year on the summer solstice.

Manhattanhenge usually happens at opposite ends of the summer solstice when the sun reaches its greatest height in the sky in New York at around May 28 and July 12.

The term was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson from the American Museum of Natural History.

Spectators will have a chance to see a similar spectacle once more this evening at about 8.20pm when a half sun will appear on the horizon, rather than the full sun.