Toronto's most spectacular sunset of the year takes place this weekend
Toronto will be treated to some picture-perfect sunsets this weekend, as a rare celestial phenomenon is set to turn the city's downtown streets into golden corridors of light.
Known as "Torontohenge," the twice-yearly sunset event is a favourite among local photographers, as it offers a short-lived moment when the setting Sun lines up perfectly with Toronto's east-west streets.
This year, the phenomenon is expected to take place on Sunday, Oct. 25, but you'll have the opportunity to catch the glorious alignment in the days leading up to the event.
Torontohenge occurs when the Sun sets directly in line with the city's street grid and, as a result, creates a striking view as light streams between the skyscrapers lining the Financial District.
The term takes inspiration from "Manhattanhenge," a term coined by astrophysicist Neil de Grasse Tyson to describe a similar phenomenon in New York City. Despite its name, the effect isn't exclusive to just Manhattan or Toronto, as many other cities with sky-high buildings and streets arranged along an east-west axis can experience similar solar alignments.
Why "henge," you ask? Well, the phenomena actually draw their names from Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument in southwest England that's associated with the alignment of the Sun during the summer solstice.
Torontohenge occurs approximately four times a year, with two alignments at sunrise and two at sunset. The sunrise events usually take place around April 19 and Aug. 23, while the sunset alignments generally occur around Feb. 12 and Oct. 25.
The exact timing of the sunset alignment changes over several days as the Sun's position shifts along the horizon. In the fall, the Sun sets a bit farther south each day, meaning the full solar disk can align with the city's streets before it gradually appears lower on the horizon.
If you're hoping to catch Torontohenge this weekend, sunset is expected at 6:21 p.m. on Friday, 6:19 p.m. on Saturday, 6:18 p.m. on Sunday (peak sunset alignment), and 6:16 p.m. on Monday.
Since these sunset times mark when the Sun completely disappears below the horizon, you'll want to arrive at your viewing spot at least 30 minutes beforehand to fully observe the phenomenon.
Some of the best places to view Torontohenge are in the Financial District, along Wellington, King, Adelaide, and Richmond streets, especially west of Yonge Street.
Luckily, the forecast is looking favourable for observing the alignment this weekend. According to The Weather Network's forecast, Saturday is expected to be sunny throughout the day, while Sunday could bring patches of fog early in the morning before sunny skies take over in the afternoon.
While the phenomenon makes for beautiful photos, its glare can actually create challenging and hazardous conditions for drivers and pedestrians, especially during the last hours of daylight.
If you're driving west, you might find yourself looking directly at the setting Sun, and if you're driving east, you could experience glare in your rearview mirrors.
With plenty of photographers and curious onlookers expected to be in the Financial District, make sure to exercise extra caution when travelling through the area.
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