Every September 11, two beams of light rise over lower Manhattan from dusk to dawn. How far away can you see them?

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The beams reach up to four miles into the sky and are visible from a 60-mile radius around lower Manhattan. They come from 88 xenon searchlights, arranged in two squares that echo the shape and orientation of the towers.

Two beams of light stand in for the towers every September 11. On a clear night they can be seen 60 miles away.

Source: National September 11 Memorial & Museum · checked Sep 2026