(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Tuesday, March 19 was the first day of spring. As with every spring and fall equinox, the phenomenon of the Chicagohenge occurred.
Chicagohenge is when the sun rises and sets perfectly in line with Chicago’s grid system - meaning the sun rises and sets in between the buildings.
This event draws many photographers out to spots like Kinzie and Madison Streets and East Randolph Street between State Street and Michigan Avenue at dawn and dusk. From there, photographers and other spectators get the best view.
While this solar event happened, photographers - many with long telephoto lenses and tripods - tried to get photos and even timelapses of the occurrence on Randolph Street on Tuesday. Mixed in with the crowd’s sounds of awe, you could hear the clicks of shutters.
“If you want to get the perfect circle, you have to underexpose [the photo] by a lot,” one photographer told WBBM.
“Photos are for sure easier than timelapses,” he continued as he explained it is easier to expose for the buildings and the sun in a still photograph.
While many photographers come out to shoot the biannual event whenever it occurs, other people like Wade from Cincinnati, just learned about the phenomenon. He stepped out of a restaurant along Randolph Street to see what all the cameras were about.
“We just got lucky! I feel like I need to buy a lottery ticket or something,” Wade said, feeling grateful for the timing of his visit to Chicago.
Other spectators look forward to seeing Chicagohenge every year because they know it marks the beginning of spring and warmer temperatures on the way.
“This is pretty magical, I will say so myself,” said Gilbert, a spectator who has also seen this same sunset between the buildings in New York, known as Manhattanhenge.
“It’s so fun to see everyone stand here just to watch the sunset,” another first-time spectator chimed in.
The next Chicagohenge will take place on the fall equinox on Sept. 22 at sunrise and sunset.
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