The Star That Appeared When Jesus Was Born?

The star that appeared when jesus was born

What is the Jesus star called?

It is believed that the Star of Bethlehem, also known as the Christmas Star, was a star in the Bible and Christian tradition that informed the Magi that Jesus had been born and subsequently assisted them in their journey to Bethlehem. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the magi were compelled to journey to Jerusalem by the star.

What is the Bethlehem Star 2020?

As in previous years, the brilliant planets Jupiter and Saturn will align precisely on December 21 to form what is known as the Christmas Star, also known as the ″Star of Bethlehem.″ Every 20 years or so, according to NASA, Jupiter and Saturn will align with one another, albeit not at a distance anywhere approaching that which will be experienced in 2020.

Is the star of Bethlehem visible now?

Is the Star of Bethlehem going to emerge in the year 2020? Yes, the traditional Christmas star will be visible starting on December 16, but the best day to see it will be December 21, which coincides with the winter solstice and will be the most beautiful.

Was the star of Bethlehem Jupiter?

The idea that the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn may represent the Star of Bethlehem is not a new one.In fact, it has been proposed before.Johannes Kepler, a German astronomer and mathematician who lived in the early 17th century, was the first to propose the theory.″From the East,″ according to Matthew, are the wise men who arrive to Jerusalem.After that, the star directs them to Bethlehem, which is located south of Jerusalem.

What star is the Christmas star?

Reason number four: The Christmas star was a fixed point on the planet Jupiter. Jupiter’s apparent journey through the sky is often perceived to go from east to west over the starry background as it travels across the sky.

Where is the Christmas star in 2020?

When looking for the Christmas Star on December 21, keep your gaze to the western horizon for best results. Between December 16th and Christmas Day, the planets will be close to the moon soon after sunset, with their closest approach to the moon occurring on December 21st. EarthSky has created an illustration of the crescent Moon traveling near the planets in the middle of December.

How long is the Star of Bethlehem visible?

The phenomena may be observed for around an hour after the sun has set. According to the astronomer Patrick Hartigan, the event will be repeated until March 15, 2080, after which it will not be repeated until after 2,400, so it would be wise to take advantage of the chance and not let it pass by by without doing something.

Can I still see the Christmas star?

After the occurrence, the Christmas Star, which is the alignment of Jupiter and Saturn, will no longer be visible due to the passage of time. However, until December 27, night sky enthusiasts will be able to observe the huge planets moving apart from one another in the night sky.

Why is it called the Christmas Star?

So, what is the significance of the term ″Christmas star″? Because the incident occurred so close to the Christmas season, many people are referring to the creation as a ″Christmas star.″

What is the Christmas Star 2020?

The ‘Christmas Star’ will emerge once more on December 21, 2020, when Jupiter and Saturn will meet in a ‘great conjunction’. It is commonly referred to as the ″Christmas Star″ by many people. It is the closest the two planets have come together in almost 800 years, and it is not expected to happen again until 2080.

When can I see the Star of Bethlehem 2020?

2020 has been a difficult year, but there is a special end-of-year surprise on the way to the skies tonight. According to NASA scientists, what has come to be recognized as the ″Christmas Star″ or ″Star of Bethlehem″ is really a very bright planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn that will be visible in the night sky on Dec. 21, which is also known as the ″Star of Bethlehem.″

Where is the Christmas star in the sky?

Experts advise staring over the southwestern or western horizons after sunset if you wish to view the constellation Orion. Here are some NASA watching recommendations: On Monday night, find a location with an unobstructed view of the sky, such as a field or park, because the two planets can be seen from nearly every city in the United States.

Is the Star of Bethlehem the same as the Star of David?

The Star of David is the Jewish emblem of King David, and it is commonly connected with the Star of Bethlehem, which is said to have appeared miraculously in the sky.

Which star did the Three Kings follow?

In order to comprehend the Star of Bethlehem, we must think in the manner of the three wise men. Inspired by this ″star in the east,″ they headed to Jerusalem first, where they informed King Herod of the prophesy that a new ruler of the people of Israel would come into existence.

Where is the best place to see the Christmas star?

The ″Christmas Star″ can be found to the southwest if you look hard enough. On clear days, which would allow for best viewing of the conjunction, you might choose to travel to the beach for a view of the planetary event that is not obscured by buildings or trees.

Historical Clues About the Date of Jesus’ Birth

Since our dating system is founded on the concept that Jesus was born between the centuries we refer to as B.C.and A.D., the question of when Jesus was born appears to have an apparent solution.Christians also commemorate the birth of Jesus at the time of the Winter Solstice, on Christmas, or on the Feast of the Three Kings (the Epiphany) (January 6).The Gospels, on the other hand, do not expressly establish the date of Jesus’ birth.Taking the assumption that Jesus was a historical character, the Star of Bethlehem is one of the most important techniques for determining when he was born.

The Star of Bethlehem

There are numerous confusing aspects regarding the birth of Jesus, including the season, the year, the Star of Bethlehem, and the census of Augustus, which are all mentioned in the Bible.When it comes to the birth of Jesus, the most often accepted dates are those between 7 and 4 B.C., however the birth might have occurred several years later or even earlier.The spectacular celestial phenomena shown in planetariums as the Star of Bethlehem might represent the conjunction of two planets, despite the fact that the Gospel of Matthew refers to a single star, not a conjunction, as the Star of Bethlehem.Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judea, during the reign of Herod the Great, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, proclaiming, ″The Christ has been born.″ ″What happened to the One who was born King of the Jews?We have come to worship Him because we spotted His star in the east and have followed it.″ (Matt.2:11; Luke 2:12) A compelling argument may be made in favor of a comet.

Choosing the appropriate one can reveal not only the year, but also the season in which Jesus was born if the proper one is chosen.

Winter Christmas

History and theology were already celebrating a winter Christmas by the fourth century, but it wasn’t until 525 that the year of Jesus’ birth was definitively established.That’s when Dionysius Exiguus decided that Jesus was born eight days before New Year’s Day in the year 1 A.D., according to the calendar.The Gospels furnish us with evidence that Dionysius Exiguus was mistaken in his assumptions.

Star of Bethlehem as Comet

In his article ″The Star of Bethlehem—a Comet in 5 BC—and the Date of the Birth of Christ,″ published in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, Colin J.Humphreys claims that Jesus was most likely born in 5 BCE at the time of a major, new, slow-moving comet—a ″sui-hsing,″ or star with a sweeping tail—in the Capricorn region of the sky.This is the comet, according to Humphreys, that was known as the Star of Bethlehem.

The Three Magi

A reference to the Star of Bethlehem was made for the first time in Matthew 2:1-12, which was most likely written about A.D.80 and based on older sources.In response to the star, the magi go from the East, according to Matthew’s account.Although they were not known as kings until the 6th century, it is most likely that the magi came from Mesopotamia or Persia, where they were likely familiar with Jewish prophesy on the coming of the savior-king, owing to a large Jewish presence in those regions.According to Humphreys, it was not commonplace for magi to pay royal visits.When King Tiridates of Armenia paid his tribute to Nero, the magi joined him, but for the magi to have visited Jesus, the astrological sign must have been extremely impressive.

The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 B.C.
is one of the reasons why planetariums highlight the event during their Christmas presentations.
This, according to Humphreys, is a powerful astronomical indication, but it does not correspond to the Gospel depiction of the Star of Bethlehem as a single star or as a star hovering over the city, as recounted by contemporary historians.
According to Humphreys, phrases such as ″hungover″ and ″comet-hungover″ appear to have been used exclusively to describe comets in ancient literature.
If more evidence develops demonstrating that planetary conjunctions were characterized in this manner by the ancients, this argument would be rendered invalid.

On June 17, 2 B.C., a rare conjunction of Venus and Jupiter was visible in the sky, according to a New York Times story (based on a National Geographic Channel film on the birth), ″What Jesus’ Birth May Have Looked Like.″ According to John Mosley of the Griffith Observatory, this was the case.″As viewed from Persia, the two planets had combined into a single shining object in the sky, a single big star in the direction of Jerusalem.″ This celestial occurrence addresses the issue of the appearance of a single star, but it does not address the issue of the star floating in space.The first known explanation of the star of Bethlehem comes from the third-century Christian philosopher Origen, who believed it to be a comet.Some people who are opposed to the concept that it was a comet claim that comets are connected with natural disasters.

Humphreys responds that when one side suffers tragedy in a conflict, the other side gains triumph.Comets, on the other hand, were regarded as heralds of a new era.

Determining Which Comet

According to the assumption that the Star of Bethlehem was a comet, there were three probable years: 12, 5, and 4 BCE (before Christ).By referring to the only significant and established date in the Gospels, the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar (A.D.28/29), at which time Jesus is characterized as being ″around 30,″ we can exclude the possibility of error.The year 12 B.C.is incorrect for the date of Jesus’ birth since he would have been 40 years old by the year A.D.28.

However, Herod the Great was still alive when Jesus was born, which makes the year 4 B.C.
implausible, if not impossible, for him to have died at that time period, as is often accepted today.
In addition, the comet of 4 B.C.
is not mentioned by the Chinese writers.
This leaves the year 5 B.C., which is the year Humphreys favours.

According to the Chinese, the comet came between March 9 and April 6, and it was visible for more than 70 days.

The Problematic Census

Humphreys addresses the majority of the issues raised by the 5 B.C.dating method, including one that is not technically astronomical in nature.He claims that the most well-known censuses of Augustus took place in 28 and 8 B.C., as well as in A.D.14.These were solely available to Roman citizens.Another census, according to Josephus and Luke 2:2, would have taken place during which the Jews of the region would have been taxed.

This census took place under the administration of Quirinius, the ruler of Syria, however it took place far later than the likely birth date of Jesus.
He claims that assuming the census was not for taxing but rather for swearing allegiance to the Caesar, which Josephus (Ant.
XVII.ii.4) places a year before the death of King Herod, the mystery may be solved, according to Humphreys’ theory.
Furthermore, it is feasible to read the verse from Luke to indicate that it took place before the governor was Quirinius was appointed.

The Date of Jesus’ Birth

Humphreys deduces that Jesus was born sometime between March 9 and May 4, 5 B.C. based on all of these data. This period has the extra benefit of containing the Jewish holiday of Passover, which is a very auspicious time for the birth of a Messiah.

What kind of star was shining when Jesus was born?

The Star that guided the three wise men was actually a new Heavenly body.Matthew chapter 2 in the King James Version Speaking of the King of the Jews, whither has he gone who was born King of the Jews?We have come to worship him because we have seen his star in the east and have followed it.7Then, when he had summoned the wise men in secret, Herod attentively inquired of them as to what time the star was supposed to emerge.It’s possible that the Star wasn’t actually a Star, but rather a (messenger of God) who shone like a Star.Matthew 2:9 King James Version When they had finished listening to the monarch, they left; and lo, the star that they had seen in the east had preceded them all the way to where the small kid was standing.

Whatever it was, it could not have been a Star in the traditional sense, because to us, a Star is literally a distant Sun, and this Star was low enough in the sky to direct them to where Jesus was.
It’s possible that the wise men referred to it as a star since there was no other way to describe its occurrences.
The fact that King Herod questioned them when the Star appeared should also be emphasized, as should the question of why Herod was not aware of the Star’s appearance if it had appeared in a place where everyone could see it.
The Shepherds did not see the Star, according to the Bible, which says otherwise: Luke chapters 2:9-18 in the King James Version 9And, behold, the angel of the Lord descended upon them, and the glory of the Lord shined around them, and they were terrified.
The angel answered to them, ″Do not be afraid; for, see, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all mankind.″ 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, who is the fulfillment of all Scripture.

This will serve as a sign for the people of Israel: ye shall discover the child wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.Then there appeared with the angel a great number of the heavenly army, praising God and exclaiming, ″Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.″ 15However, as the angels were departing from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ″Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known vnto us.″ So they went to Bethlehem and saw what had happened.16And they arrived in haste, where they discovered Mary and Joseph, as well as the infant, who was lying in a manger.17And when they saw it, they spread the word about the statement that had been revealed to them about this kid.

18And everyone who heard it was taken aback by the things that the shepherds had told them about themselves.Because the birth of Jesus was such a seismic event in human history, it seems to me that proclaiming it with a dazzling Angel would be perfectly consistent with my understanding of God.

What Is The Name Of The Star That Appeared When Jesus Was Born? [Comprehensive Answer]

In search of a solution to the question: What was the name of the star that appeared when Jesus was born?On this page, we have compiled the most accurate and thorough information available to provide you with a complete response to the question: What was the name of the star that appeared at the time of Jesus’ conception?The Star of Bethlehem, which was most likely a comet that emerged in the spring of 5 B.C.and was used to establish Jesus’ birth, was visible at the time of his birth.The star was originally associated with the birth of Jesus.If the narrative of the Star of Bethlehem was based on a true event, it could be possible to determine the year in which Jesus was born.

The birth of Jesus is described in the Gospel of Matthew as taking place during Herod’s reign as king.
According to Josephus, Herod died during a lunar eclipse and before the celebration of the Passover holiday.
In his article ″The Star of Bethlehem—a Comet in 5 BC—and the Date of the Birth of Christ,″ published in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, Colin J.
Humphreys claims that Jesus was most likely born in 5 BCE at the time of a major, new, slow-moving comet—a ″sui-hsing,″ or star with a sweeping tail—in the Capricorn region of the sky.
Apparently, according to the text of Matthew 2:7, the star that the three wise men had seen had appeared at the time of Jesus’ birth.

The wise men, on the other hand, had come after the birth.If the wise men had seen the star at the time of Jesus’ birth, it would have taken at least a few months for them to travel to Bethlehem to see him.

Did the star appear before Jesus was born?

According to the prophet Micah, they were advised by Herod’s counsellors where they should go. They went to Bethlehem. They did not require guidance from the star on this final leg of their journey, but they were ‘overjoyed’ when, on the final leg of their journey, the star ‘went before them’ in the morning sky and when it’stood over’ Bethlehem, the site of Jesus’ birth.

How long will star of Bethlehem be visible?

800 years have passed. Every 800 years or so, roughly. It is predicted that this sort of planetary alignment will not be witnessed again until the year 2080 and then again in 2400 by various astronomers.

Where is the Star of Bethlehem visible?

After sunset, those interested in seeing the star should gaze above the horizon in the southwestern or western direction. The optimum time to observe them is around one hour after the sunset in your area. The emblematic Christmas Star will be visible from any location on the planet this year.

How do you find the Star of Bethlehem?

0:524:05 Learn how to view the star of Bethlehem by watching this video. YouTube

What is another name for the Star of Bethlehem?

Was the Star of Bethlehem a planet?

For ages, experts have speculated that the Star of Bethlehem may have been a ″great conjunction″ of brilliant planets rather than a single star. On June 17, 2 BCE, the planets were so close together that they would have seemed as if they were a single entity, comparable to the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn scheduled for 2020.

Was Halley’s comet The Star of Bethlehem?

Occasionally, bright comets may be seen in the night sky, and they have been portrayed as ″hanging over″ specific cities or territories, much as the Star of Bethlehem is frequently shown in religious art. According to historical records, Halley’s comet was seen in the region in 12 BC, and it would have been brilliant enough to be characterized as a star at the time.

Why is it called the Star of Bethlehem?

It is said that the Star of Bethlehem, also known as the Christmas Star, was a star in the Bible and Christian tradition that informed the Magi that Jesus had been born and subsequently assisted them in their journey to Bethlehem. The magi were on their way to Bethlehem when they noticed the star for the second time. Suddenly, the star came to a halt over the location of Jesus’ birth.

How long will Star of Bethlehem be visible?

Does the Star of Bethlehem still exist?

In December, for the first time in 800 years, the famed Star of Bethlehem, which is traditionally linked with the holiday season, will be visible in the sky once more in the sky. The last time this phenomena happened in the sky was in 1226, during the Middle Ages, and it is not predicted to occur again until 2080 when Jupiter and Saturn align in the sky.

What was the original Christmas star?

NOVA or supernova explosions were the cause of the Christmas star, according to Explanation 1. The theory that the Magi were witness to a nova or supernova explosion was first suggested by the 17th century scientist Johannes Kepler, and it has since gained widespread acceptance. However, there is no record of such an incident occurring in the Western world.

What does the Christmas star represent?

Traditionally, the Christmas star represents the star of Bethlehem, which, according to the Biblical tale, directed the three kings, also known as the wise men, to the infant Jesus. The star is also a celestial indication of a prophesy that was fulfilled a long time ago, as well as a beacon of hope for all of mankind.

Where is the Bethlehem Star located?

The place of Jesus’ birth is marked by a silver star with 14 undulating rays at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, which is generally believed to be the site of his birth. The Star of Bethlehem is a typical eight-pointed star motif in quilting that is known as the Star of Bethlehem.

When did the Star of Jesus appear?

According to most scientists and Biblical scholars, the apparition of the Star most likely occurred between the years 7 and 2 B.C., however others believe it occurred earlier. As a result, this is the time period that we must investigate in order to ascertain whether or not there was anything unique in the sky that would have attracted the notice of the Magi.

What was the significance of the star when Jesus was born?

According to Christian belief, the Star of Bethlehem, also known as the Christmas Star, revealed the birth of Jesus to the Biblical Magi and subsequently guided them to the town of Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The star appears just once in the Bible, in the birth account of Matthew, when magi ″from the east″ are encouraged to journey to Jerusalem by the star.

Was the star of Bethlehem the North Star?

In other words, the Star of Bethlehem was not the North Star, which is a brilliant star that is usually visible during the Christmas season and represents the birth of Jesus. The North Star, also known as Polaris, is a star that shines above the North Pole and is not linked to the star that shone over Bethlehem on Christmas Day in the first century.

Was there really a Star of Bethlehem?

Probably not worthy of a star. According to the well-known tale in the Gospel of Matthew, three Magi, or wise men, traveled to Jerusalem approximately 2,000 years ago after following the Star of Bethlehem from Bethlehem. And, after speaking with King Herod of Judea, the men discovered the newborn infant Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem, which was afterwards named after him.

What star was the star of Bethlehem?

The Star of David is a religious symbol in Israel. The Star of David is the Jewish emblem of King David, and it is commonly connected with the Star of Bethlehem, which is said to have appeared miraculously in the sky.

What is the symbol of the Star of Bethlehem?

The Star of Bethlehem is a gorgeous flower that you might want to consider growing in your backyard garden—but only if you don’t mind a little sprawl! It symbolizes innocence, trust, hope, honesty, and many more messages that are unambiguously pure of heart.

What is the name of the Star of Bethlehem?

The Star of Bethlehem, also known as the Christmas Star, is a star in the Bible and Christian tradition that appeared to the Magi to inform them that Jesus had been born, and subsequently assisted them on their journey to Bethlehem to find him. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the magi were compelled to journey to Jerusalem by the star.

What is the name of the star that appeared when jesus was born? Video Answer

An Angel Foretells Christ’s Birth to Mary

The Star of Bethlehem: Can science explain what it really was?

For ages, experts have speculated that the Star of Bethlehem may have been a ″great conjunction″ of brilliant planets, rather than a single star.On December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will form a ″Great Conjunction″ that will be unlike any other seen in over 800 years, according to astronomers.On the eve of the winter solstice, the two planets will seem so near to each other in the night sky of Earth that they will virtually appear as a single object.Some have dubbed the sighting a ″Christmas Star,″ while others have speculated about a celestial occurrence with a similar sounding name that corresponded with the historical first Christmas: the Star of Bethlehem, which occurred around the same time.But was there ever a time when such a cosmic spectacle could be witnessed?Then what does astronomical science tell us about what may have caused it, if anything at all?

Interestingly, there is some evidence that a pair of planetary conjunctions — similar to the upcoming Great Conjunction — occurred around the time of Christ’s birth, which coincides with the traditionally recognized time period for the event.
That might perhaps explain the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem.
But, of course, not everyone is on board with this notion.

The Star of Bethlehem

The narrative of the Star of Bethlehem appears just once in the Bible, in Matthew’s Book of Genesis.In the gospel, we are told that a brilliant star arose in the eastern sky around the time of Jesus’ birth, which was famously observed by a group of wise men.These biblical ″Magi,″ who are also known as monarchs, are today found in nativity scenes all around the world.The Bible tells the story of how these three wise men saw the new star as a symbol of the birth of the King of the Jews and traveled to Jerusalem to pay their respects to him.When they arrive, they speak with Herod, the region’s ruler who was ordered by Rome to investigate about the newborn Jesus.″What happened to the boy who was destined to be king of the Jews?

We have come to do him tribute since we witnessed his star as it rose in the sky ″Matthew explains it to us.
Herod, on the other hand, is concerned by the proposal.
He and his own wise men are rumored to be on a quest to find the location of Jesus’ birth.
They eventually summon the three wise men to inquire as to when the star first appeared.
And, as a result of Micah’s prophecy that the savior will be born at Bethlehem, Herod sent the trio to Bethlehem in order to look for the baby Christ.

(It is also said that Herod eventually murders the children of Bethlehem in an attempt to extinguish the flames of Jesus.) As recorded in Matthew, ″When they had finished hearing the king, they turned away; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, moved ahead of them until it came and stood over where the small child was.″ When they saw the star, they were filled with a tremendous amount of delight.″

Evidence for the Star of Bethlehem

For ages, astronomers have looked to the historical record in quest of clues as to what may be causing this mysterious Star of Bethlehem to flare up in the sky.Since at least the 13th century, scholars have debated the possible causes of the Black Death.It might have been caused by a supernova, a comet, a solar flare, or a planetary alignment.Alternatively, it’s possible that it never happened at all.The reality is that science will very certainly never discover the truth.But let us contemplate the possibility that it was a genuine cosmic occurrence.

What are some scientifically supported reasons for the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem?
The tale is, to put it mildly, ambiguous, although it does provide us with some hints.
Some things can be ruled out with relative ease.
It’s impossible that the Star of Bethlehem was a meteor, which is defined as an asteroid or space rock that burns brightly as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere, since a meteor would have appeared and vanished in a moment.
The idea that three wise men could have followed a meteor for weeks is ridiculous.

It’s also doubtful that a supernova — the violent death of a star that causes its brightness to grow dramatically for days, weeks, or months — could be responsible for the Star of Bethlehem’s appearance.Supernovae, sometimes known as ″guest stars,″ have been observed and documented for thousands of years and have becoming increasingly common.As a result, if something like this had occurred, other cultures would have taken notice.Even if it somehow eluded the written record, astronomers have discovered relics of numerous other old supernovae, which suggests that it may have occurred more recently.

Researchers have even been able to link some of the leftovers to events that occurred on Earth in the past by calculating their peak brightness.In spite of this, telescopes have yet to discover any evidence of a supernova remnant that coincides with the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem.In truth, the only supernova that was visible from Earth around the time of Christ’s birth occurred in the year 185 A.D., and it was observed and recorded by Chinese astronomers around the time of Christ’s birth.

A Christmas Comet?

It has also been hypothesized that the Star of Bethlehem was a comet coming close to the Earth in the past by certain astronomers who were intrigued.When these ice things from the outer solar system enter into the inner solar system and are heated by the Sun, they can provide a brilliant light show.They’re also well-known for appearing to loiter in the sky for weeks or months at a time, which is visible to the naked eye.And, as with supernovae, we have historical records of comets from many cultures around the world.Indeed, Chinese astronomers saw the apparition of a ″Broom Star″ in the year 5 B.C., which many experts have interpreted as a comet since then.Similarly to supernovae, Chinese historians have recorded several historical comets, and they have even documented a number of instances in which meteor strikes killed individuals.

Researchers became aware of the temporal coincidence of this Chinese ″Broom Star″ in the 1970s, and a slew of papers began appearing in scientific publications arguing the topic, among other sources of inspiration.
It all culminated in a 1977 New York Times article authored by famed scientific writer Walter Sullivan, in which he argued that it may have been a comet, conjunction, nova, or even a simple urban legend.
It is undeniable that no common opinion has evolved in the decades that have followed.
So, is it possible that a comet was the Star of Bethlehem?
The possibility cannot be ruled out, but there is one apparent reason to have reservations.

Ancient great conjunction

What do you think about a planetary confluence such as the approaching Great Conjunction of 2020?Is it possible that this explains the Star of Bethlehem?Observing software these days makes it simple to rewind the path of the planets, and it is possible to observe that numerous important conjunctions occurred in the years leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection.(A planetary conjunction occurs when two planets make a close approach to each other in the night sky above the planet Earth.It should be noted that the two things are not truly in close proximity to one another; rather, they appear to be such from our perspective.During the year 7 B.C., Jupiter and Saturn were in the same constellation, Pisces, for three consecutive nights.

Occasionally, in the night sky, the planets appear to pass one another because they travel at various speeds in their orbits and are placed at different distances.
This is due to the fact that the planets have distinct speeds and are located at different distances.
They can also appear to be standing still or moving backward in the sky, which is referred to as retrograde motion by astronomers.
This maneuver is analogous to passing a slower vehicle on the highway.
When you draw near to the other car, it appears to come to a complete stop beside you.

Then, as you begin to back away, it begins to fall backward.It happens in the same way because Earth travels around the Sun considerably more quickly than the outer planets.However, because Jupiter is closer to the Sun than Saturn, it appears to move more quickly in our night sky than Saturn.As a result, if Jupiter and Saturn had three near conjunctions in a very short period of time, it’s reasonable to assume that ancient astronomers — or, more accurately, astrologers — would have taken notice.

In addition, it is possible that they would have assigned some significance to the incident.These same astrologers wouldn’t have had to wait long for an even more spectacular celestial alignment to occur in the sky.A little more than four years later, in the summer of 3 B.C., Jupiter and Venus came together in an event that would have seemed very similar to the approaching ″Christmas Star,″ also known as the Great Conjunction of December 2020.

Jupiter and Venus would’ve been barely a tenth of a degree apart in the early sky on August 12, 3 B.C., on the morning of August 12.
That’s one-fifth the diameter of the Full Moon, to put it another way.
(The conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in December 2020 will have a separation that is similar, however it will occur in the evening sky) That, however, was not the conclusion of the show.
Venus and Jupiter maintained their dance for the better part of the following year before ultimately merging into a single star in June of the following year.
Although not a novel concept, the notion that a conjunction of brilliant planets may explain the Star of Bethlehem is not.
A record in the Annals of the Abbey of Worcester dated 1285 A.D.

mentions an alignment of Jupiter and Saturn that occurred at the time of Jesus’ birth.This alignment was confirmed by modern astronomy.Indeed, in the 17th century, Johannes Kepler himself made mention to the concept.

Myth or reality?

Following this discovery, many passionate astronomers — as well as enthusiastic amateurs — have referred to other celestial positions that were occurring about the same time as additional proof that ancient astrologers would have found significance in these occurrences.Bright stars and planets were moving through significant constellations as the night sky became darker.Another school of thought holds that there was no one celestial event that caused the Star of Bethlehem to appear in the sky at all.Instead, it is possible that the accumulated influence of years of these astronomical phenomena caused the Magi to notice indicators that a new king had been born, if they were regarded as a whole.But, could any of these factors have been responsible for the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem?The fact is that none of these occurrences exactly correspond to the depiction of how events unfolded in the Book of Matthew.

In addition, the context is incorrect.
Because ancient people were well-versed in the names of their planets, it would be strange to refer to a conjunction of numerous planets as a ″star.″ Furthermore, it’s difficult to understand how Herod could have been taken by surprise by three wise men informing him of the existence of a new star; he would very certainly have noticed any such brilliant or prominent object himself.
Following the Bible’s teachings on astrology, it is also considered heretical, which makes the notion of deciphering meanings from the stars somewhat suspect in the first place.
What truly inspired the biblical account of the Star of Bethlehem is likely to remain a mystery to us for the foreseeable future.
Fortunately for us, on December 21, we’ll have the opportunity to witness our own ″Christmas Star.″ After that, each of us may determine for ourselves what it means to us.

And, putting heresy aside, we all pray it delivers good news of peace, joy, and love to those who hear them.Lord knows we are in desperate need of them right now.Note from the editor: According to the January 2010 Astronomy article, ″What was the Star of Bethlehem?″ portions of this narrative were taken from the original source material.

The Star of Bethlehem will be visible today for first time in 800 years: What time and how to see it?

Updated on December 21, 2020 at 13:47 p.m.In December, for the first time in 800 years, the famed Star of Bethlehem, which is traditionally linked with the holiday season, will be visible in the sky once more in the sky.Everyone on the planet will be able to see Jupiter and Saturn combine to form a single bright light in the night sky, known as the Star of Bethlehem, which will be visible to everyone on the planet.According to Christian tradition, this star guided the Three Kings to the town of Bethlehem, where Jesus had been born.On the winter solstice, which falls on December 21, the Star of Bethlehem will be visible to the southeast for 45 minutes, according to the International Astronomical Union.It is not merely a star, according to astronomer Patrick Hartigan of Rice University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, but rather an arrangement of planets that makes the Star of Bethlehem stand out from the rest.

This is an optical illusion generated by the Earth’s location with regard to the Sun, and the planets will never physically come together as a result of this situation.
The last time this phenomena happened in the sky was in 1226, during the Middle Ages, and it is not predicted to occur again until 2080 when Jupiter and Saturn align in the sky.

Will the Star of Bethlehem appear in 2020?

Yes, the traditional Christmas star will be visible starting on December 16, but the best day to see it will be December 21, which coincides with the winter solstice and will be the most beautiful.

How often does the Star of Bethlehem appear?

Every 800 years or so, roughly. It is predicted that this sort of planetary alignment will not be witnessed again until the year 2080 and then again in 2400 by various astronomers.

Is the Great Conjunction the Star of Bethlehem?

Yes, this is the time of year when Jupiter and Saturn align to produce the Great Conjunction of the Planets.

Why is it called the Christmas Star?

It is referred to as the Christmas Star because it will be somewhat brighter than usual.

Where will the Star of Bethlehem appear?

After sunset on December 21 (about 18:00 to 19:00 CET), the ideal chance to witness this phenomena will be after sunset on December 21. It can be viewed from anywhere on the planet, however it will be easier to observe in regions around the equator than in other locations.

Was there ever a real Star of Bethlehem?

Collaboration between Kaley Payne and Dr Luke Barnes, an astrophysicist from Western Sydney University ″Let us be guided by the star of wonder, the star of night, the star of royal beauty shining bright; westward leading, still progressing, lead us to thy flawless light.″ Our traditional Christmas card depicts a beautiful and huge star beaming directly over the stable where Jesus was sleeping.
This year’s Christmas star, often known as the star of Bethlehem, is one of the most instantly recognizable emblems of the holiday season.
However, a star hovering above a certain location is not something that you see every day.
As a matter of fact, many believe it is not anything that was witnessed on the night of Jesus’ birth.
They claim that it is a myth.

Is this true, though?Because the event is only reported in Matthew’s Gospel, many historians just disregard the account as a late addition to the story in order to make it seem more dramatic and dramatic it wasn’t.Here’s everything you need to know: Magi from the east came to Jerusalem after Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, Judea, during the reign of King Herod and inquired, ″Where has the one who has been born king of the Jews?″ We noticed his star as it rose in the sky and have come to adore him.″ When King Herod learned about this, he was alarmed, as was the entire city of Jerusalem.Having gathered all of the people’s leading priests and teachers of the law in one place, he inquired as to where the Messiah would be born.’In Bethlehem, in Judea,’ they said, ″for the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel,’″ they continued.

Then Herod summoned the Magi in secret, and it was through them that he learned the precise hour the star had shone.″Go and seek carefully for the infant,″ he instructed them as they traveled to Bethlehem.You must immediately inform me of your whereabouts so that I can go and adore him as well.″ After they had heard the king, they continued on their journey, and the star that they had seen when it first appeared preceded them until it came to rest above the location where the infant had been found.As soon as they spotted the star, they were overcome with delight.

When they arrived at the house, they were greeted by the infant and his mother Mary, and they immediately fell on their knees and worshipped him.Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, among other things.In this view, Christians may confidently rely on the gospels.They have determined that the gospels are trustworthy, and here is a portion of one of those gospels.But, historically speaking, are we able to say anything more?It’s not much, but it’s something.

NT scholar Raymond E.
Brown, who is not known for believing everything he reads in the Gospels, points out (in his book The Birth of the Messiah, p172-173) that there was a very rare conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 BC—which appeared three times in a single year—with Mars passing through in early 6 BC during the time of Jesus’ birth.
In order to identify this conjunction with Matthew’s ″star,″ as Brown is eager to point out, it would be unduly speculative.
According to the scientist, ″we can track the night sky backwards in time rather neatly since it is a relatively basic physics system.″ Brown, on the other hand, points out that Jupiter was frequently connected with a new global ruler in pagan thinking – specifically, the thinking of the wise men, or the magi.
Because of this, it is not impossible that eastern courtiers would have regarded this phenomena as a portent of the birth of a monarch at some point.
This gives a suitable setting for the events in Matthew 2.

More beyond that, we aren’t likely to be able to disclose at this time.
Raymond Brown, on the other hand, does not.
In 2020, scientists predict that we’ll be able to see the ″Christmas Star″ for a second time.
On December 21, a planetary alignment that hasn’t been witnessed in 800 years will occur once more, according to astronomers.

Jupiter and Saturn will be aligned at this time, and since they will be so close to the earth and so perfectly synchronized in their orbits, they will appear to form an extraordinarily bright’star’ in the sky.The alignment of the planets thus close to the earth is highly unusual.According to astronomer Patrick Hartigan of Rice University, the last time the planets aligned so closely to us was during the Middle Ages, according to Forbes.To be specific, it was March 4, 1226.

Dr Luke Barnes is an astronomer who works at Western Sydney University, where he teaches astronomy and cosmology courses.He stated on the Undeceptions Podcast that there are three primary ideas concerning the Star of Bethlehem that are based on astrophysics that may be considered.″We can track the night sky backwards in time very nicely — it’s a really straightforward physics system,″ Dr Barnes explained.

″We can trace the night sky backwards in time quite nicely.″ ″We can travel back in time and determine that there was a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in around 7BC.
A conjunction occurs when the planets Jupiter and Saturn appear to be in a same position in the night sky — this is known as a conjunct transit.
Not only will they come together, but they will really come together three times over the course of a few of months if this occurs at the appropriate time of the year.″ If this is the case, it would explain why the Magi saw the star more than once as they made their way towards Jesus.

When astronomers hear the term ″new star,″ the first thing that comes to mind is either a Nova, which is a nuclear explosion on the surface of an old star, or a supernova, which is ″a large star completely exploding,″ according to Dr Barnes.″It would be a really bright day if it were to happen.″ It is not something that can be predicted, but it is something that the ancients were aware of.″It would be an incredible, monumental event.″ The interesting thing about supernovae is that we can tell how long ago they exploded by looking at their residue.As a result, we know that a Supernova occurred in 1054.And we have historical evidence for this, as well as astrophysical evidence, which we can see if we perform the astrophysics and turn the clock back.However, there are none that place us in the 6th or 5th centuries BC.

There’s an issue with that.We may, however, have just failed to locate it at this time.″ Dr.Barnes’ favorite idea is that the Star of Bethlehem is actually a comet, which he believes is true.″In the ancient world, comets were referred to be stars on occasion.

The term’star’ was used to refer to anything that was brilliant in the night sky rather than a specific object.Comets were referred to be stars by both Josephus and Pliny.They are more often than not a terrible omen, although they may also be a positive omen in certain circumstances.″ According to Dr Barnes, there is a relationship to Numbers 24:17, which states, ″I see him, but not now; I sight him, but not close.″ ″Out of Jacob will come a star, and out of Israel will come a scepter,″ says the prophet.″It’s possible that a comet’s tail looks like that.Furthermore, due to the fact that comets migrate across the solar system, it is precisely the type of object that may be in the east, then in the west, then in the south.The concept of a star’hanging above Bethlehem’ would appear to be a huge giant pointer to a specific location if the tail of the comet was pointing upwards and depending on where you were standing.

″It’s the closest thing we have to a’standing over’ celebrity in terms of popularity.″ Barnes states that, after looking through the astronomical records, he has discovered that Hailey’s Comet existed, but that it did so about 12 BC, ″which makes it a little too early.″ ″There’s a comet that was discovered by the Chinese in 5BC.
Those are the words of Colin Humphries, a material scientist from Cambridge, who believes that is the case.
However, because the records aren’t completely full, there is some disagreement concerning this.″ astronomers are saying, ″We’re not absolutely sure,″ says Dr Barnes.
″It’s a big ‘we’re not totally sure,’″ adds Dr Barnes.
″However, there are some intriguing hypotheses.
This was something that the famous German scientist Johannes Kepler was attempting to figure out 400 years ago!

In addition, there’s still a great deal of interest in it.″

What Was the Christmas Star of Bethlehem?

It is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew that on the first Christmas, a mysterious star appeared over the location where Jesus Christ was born on Earth in Bethlehem, and that it guided three wise men (known as the Magi) to the location of Jesus so that they may pay him homage.
Over the many years that have passed since the Bible’s account of the Star of Bethlehem was recorded, people have argued over what it was.
Some believe it was a myth, while others believe it was a miracle.
Others confuse it with the constellation of the North Star.
The following is the tale of what the Bible claims happened, as well as what many astronomers currently believe happened during this renowned celestial event:

The Bible’s Report

The story is told in Matthew 2:1-11, according to the Bible.
″After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and inquired, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?’″ read the first and second verses.
We noticed his star as it rose in the sky and have come to adore him.’ ″King Herod summoned together all of the people’s greatest priests and law teachers,″ the tale goes, and ″asked them where the Messiah was to be born″ (verse 4).
After saying ″at Bethlehem in Judea,″ (verse 5) they reference a prophesy concerning the location of the Messiah’s (the world’s savior) birth in order to prove their point.
Many academics who were well-versed in ancient prophecy anticipated that the Messiah would be born at Bethlehem.

″Then Herod summoned the Magi in secret and obtained from them the precise moment at which the star had shone,″ the verses 7 and 8 state.He dispatched them to Bethlehem, instructing them to ″seek diligently for the kid.″ Please let me know as soon as you have located him so that I may also go and adore him.″ It turns out that Herod was lying to the Magi about his intentions; in reality, Herod wanted to find out where Jesus was so that he could send soldiers to murder him since Herod viewed Jesus as a danger to his own authority.The narrative continues in verses 9 and 10: ″ ″After they had heard the king, they continued on their journey, and the star that they had seen as it rose followed them until it came to rest above the location where the kid had been found.″ It was an overwhelming feeling for them when they saw the star.″ Once they arrive at Jesus’ home, the Bible recounts them as visiting him with his mother Mary, worshipping him and bestowing upon him their famed gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.After then, the Magi are described in verse 12 as follows: ″Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to their homeland via a different way.″

A Fable

The star has been debated for centuries, with some believing it was a literary device used by the apostle Matthew to convey the light of hope felt by those who awaited the Messiah’s arrival when Jesus was born. Others, however, believe it was nothing more than a literary device, used to convey the light of hope that those who awaited the Messiah’s arrival felt when Jesus was born.

An Angel

The Star of Bethlehem has been debated for ages, and some have suggested that the ″star″ was actually a radiant angel in the sky, as has been suggested by several historians.
Why?
Messages from God are communicated through angels, and the star was conveying a significant message.
Angels also lead humans, as was the case when the star directed the Magi to Jesus.
Furthermore, Bible scholars feel that the Bible refers to angels as ″stars″ in a number of other places, including Job 38:7 (″while the morning stars sang together and all the angels screamed for pleasure″) and Psalm 147:4 (″when the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy″) (″He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name″) Despite this, many Bible experts feel that the Star of Bethlehem passage in the Bible does not allude to an angelic being.

A Miracle

A miracle, according to some, is the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem, which may be defined as either a light that God ordered to emerge supernaturally or a natural astronomical phenomena that God miraculously arranged to occur at that point in history.
In the opinion of many Bible historians, the Star of Bethlehem was a miracle in the sense that God orchestrated the movements of elements of his natural creation in space in order for an uncommon phenomena to occur on the first Christmas.
They think that God’s intention in doing so was to produce a portent – an omen, or sign – that would draw people’s attention to something important in their lives.
A great celestial portent occurred during Herod’s reign, according to author Michael R.
Molnar, who writes in his book The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi: ″A great celestial portent occurred during Herod’s reign, indicating the birth of a great king of Judea and is in excellent agreement with the biblical account.″ People have referred to the star’s peculiar look and behavior as miraculous; nevertheless, some argue that if it is a miracle, it is a miracle that can be explained by natural processes, rather than supernatural ones.

Molnar goes on to write: ″If we leave aside the notion that the Star of Bethlehem is an unexplained miracle, there are a number of fascinating ideas that link the star to a specific celestial event.These theories include These beliefs are frequently highly oriented toward promoting astronomical events, that is, apparent movement or location of celestial bodies, as portents, which is contrary to conventional wisdom.″ Geoffrey W.Bromiley describes the Star of Bethlehem incident in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, which is available online: ″Celestial things provide evidence to the existence of the God of the Bible, who is the creator of all of them.He has the ability to intervene and alter the natural path of events.″ Given that Psalm 19:1 of the Bible states that ″the skies announce the glory of God″ all of the time, it is possible that God selected them to give testimony to his incarnation on Earth in a unique fashion through the star, as the Bible suggests.

Astronomical Possibilities

Over the years, astronomers have questioned whether the Star of Bethlehem was indeed a star, or if it was a comet, a planet, or a cluster of planets colliding to produce an unusually intense light.
Now that technology has progressed to the point where astronomers can scientifically analyze past events in space, many astronomers believe they have identified what happened around the time that historians place Jesus’ birth: during the spring of the year 5 B.C.
Many astronomers believe they have identified what happened around the time that historians place Jesus’ birth: during the spring of the year 5 B.C.

A Nova Star

Those who believe this claim that the Star of Bethlehem was a genuine star, although an unusually brilliant one known as a nova, have provided evidence to support their claim.
When Mark R.
Kidger wrote in his book The Star of Bethlehem: An Astronomer’s View, he stated that the Star of Bethlehem was ″probably definitely a nova,″ and that it shone ″somewhere between the current constellations of Capricornus and Aquila″ around the middle of March 5 B.C.
A star, argues Frank J.
Tipler in his book The Physics of Christianity, about the Star of Bethlehem.

″The Star of Bethlehem is a star.″ ″It is not a planet or a comet, nor is it a conjunction of two or more planets, nor is it an occultation of Jupiter by the moon…If the account in Matthew’s Gospel is taken literally, then the Star of Bethlehem must have been a Type 1a supernova or a Type 1c hypernova, located either in the Andromeda Galaxy or, if Type 1a, in a globular cluster of this galaxy.″ ″If this account in Matthew Tipler goes on to say that Matthew’s story of the star remaining for a time above the location of Jesus’ birth indicated that the star ″passed through the zenith at Bethlehem,″ which is located at a latitude of 31 degrees north and a longitude of 43 degrees north.In order to understand what happened, it’s vital to remember that this was a unique astronomical occurrence at that precise moment in history and location in the world.In other words, the Star of Bethlehem was not the North Star, which is a brilliant star that is usually visible during the Christmas season and represents the birth of Jesus.The North Star, also known as Polaris, is a star that shines above the North Pole and is not linked to the star that shone over Bethlehem on Christmas Day in the first century.

The Light of the World

On the first Christmas, why would God send a bright star to direct people to Jesus’ location?
Possibly because the star’s brilliant brightness reflected what the Bible reports Jesus stating regarding his role on Earth later in his life, which is as follows: ″I am the brightest light in the universe.
Anyone who follows me will never walk in the dark, but will always have the light of life shining in their hearts.″ (See also John 8:12).
The most important question, according to Bromiley in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, is not what the Star of Bethlehem was, but rather to whom it directed people.
″It is vital to understand that the narrative does not include a thorough description of the star since the star was not relevant in the story.

It was only described because it served as a guide to the Christ child and as a symbol of His birth, and nothing else.″

The ‘Christmas Star’ Wasn’t Visible This Year, But You Can Still See These Celestial Sights

Although the celestial ″Christmas Star″ or ″Star of Bethlehem″ was seen for the first time in 800 years last year in 2020, we will not be able to view it this year due to the fact that it will be eclipsed by the Sun.
On March 15, 2080, the extremely uncommon shining’star’ – which was actually a conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter – will emerge once more in the sky.
Even if you aren’t interested in seeing the stars over the holidays, there are a few events that will take place during the rest of the year, no matter where you are in the world, that will be just as thrilling as the ones that will take place during the holiday season.

Through Dec. 24: Ursids Meteor Shower

The Ursids meteor shower is typically active between the dates of December 17 and December 24 each year.
At its peak, spectators can see as many as ten meteors in an hour if they are in the right location.
Ursids is so named because the meteor originates in the direction of the constellation Ursa Minor and is related with the comet 8P/Tuttle.
It is also known as the Ursid meteor shower.
The best way to watch is as follows: Learn more about how to see the Ursids meteor shower in your location by visiting this website.

Through Jan. 3: Comet Leonard

According to EarthSky, Comet Leonard is the most anticipated comet of 2021 and will likely be a once-in-a-lifetime event if it passes by Earth.
In addition to being the brightest comet of the year, this comet will also have the potential to leave a tail when it gets closer to Earth and the sun.
Currently, the comet is moving closer to the sun, and it will reach its perihelion, or closest point to the sun, on January 3, 2022, at which point it will be the brightest.
Despite the fact that the comet has been seen in the morning sky, it will be visible in the evening sky during the month of December.
Comet Leonard will travel closest to the Earth on December 13 and will subsequently pass near to Venus on December 18 in the next months.

Later on, on January 3, it will complete a 56 million-mile round around the sun.The best way to watch is as follows: As Comet Leonard approaches in on the year 2021, it’s likely that it may be seen just with the naked eye.More information on how to see the comet in your location may be found here.More information on how to see additional celestial events that are not included here may be found here.