Sauronhenge Emerges in Brooklyn
Residents of Brooklyn are grappling with a quirky new term: “Sauronhenge.” This unique astronomical event occurs when the sun perfectly aligns with the top of the famed Brooklyn Tower, which has drawn comparisons to the “Eye of Sauron” from “The Lord of the Rings.”
Last week, crowds gathered at the intersection of DeKalb Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue in Clinton Hill to catch this intriguing sight.
A commentator on a “Lord of the Rings” subreddit exclaimed, “The Rumors Are Truth!” fueling the excitement surrounding the phenomenon.
Inspired by the more widely-known “Manhattan Henge,” city planner Kevin Clyne calculated when the sun would align with the striking skyline. Many fans described the view as reminiscent of the glowing eyes of Sauron.
Clyne mentioned that people are buzzing about how this building resembles something pulled from their beloved fantasy films. He confessed, “I always wondered if the sun would align just right with the top of the tower.”
This event echoes the delight New Yorkers feel during Manhattan Henge, where the sunset coincides perfectly with the city’s grid. Yet, Clyne noted that his Brooklyn vantage point had always seemed “too south” to witness such alignments.
Upon relocating to Park Slope, he calculated the precise dates—specifically, August 8th at 6:35 PM—using some quick math. “I didn’t expect many people to join,” he admitted, but the interest was clearly larger than anticipated.
Last Monday, a Reddit user shared their excitement about the turnout, stating, “There were like 30 people there. That was amazing.” Although Clyne missed the event, he was surprised by the number of strangers tagging him in their photos on Instagram.
Reflecting on the turnout, Clyne mused, “I think it’s impressive how quickly word spread. Some people even asked when the next one would be, claiming they were sad to have missed it.” It looks like this could be just the beginning of a new annual tradition.
According to a local blog, the views offered a mix of delight for “Lord of the Rings” fans and those intrigued by the tower’s striking, somewhat ominous design.
The 1,066-foot tall residential tower, known for its dark onyx color and battlements, certainly stirs debate. Clyne described the reception as “divisive,” pointing out that these stark architectural choices can indeed evoke thoughts of a “villainous” presence.
Ultimately, while it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the stark profile of Brooklyn Tower has definitely captured attention—if only for its height and striking look dominating the skyline.
As one Reddit user noted, “It feels like Gondor.” The fascination with this new phenomenon reflects a mix of humor and genuine interest in how urban life intertwines with whimsical interpretations of pop culture.
