To Christians, the Christmas Star or the Star of Bethlehem is a most significant part of the events surrounding Jesus' birth. The light from the star served not only as a celestial flash to illuminate the newborn baby, it provided a navigational guidance system for the Magi. The star guided these most prestigious guests to where the Magi would meet the most prestigious infant. Without the star, would such a meeting have been possible?
An Historical Star Event
The book of Numbers in the Old Testament foretold the coming of a star that would precede the arrival of a great leader of the people of Israel. The prophecy was revealed by Balaam, an ancient prophet of Mesopatamia. The prophecy was also mentioned in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Some accounts of the Magi's journey credit them as studying celestial bodies from the ancient Institute of Astrology at Sippar near Babylonia. Many ancient peoples kept astronomical records; especially the Chinese were adept at cataloging celestial phenomena. Such historical records of unusual celestial events provide evidence that verify current astronomical data and provide more understanding about the Christmas Star.
Scientific Possibilities of the Star
To follow the star, the Magi would have had to see it stand out from a background of stars in the night sky. It also would have to have been visible for at least the duration of the Magi's journey or approximately six to eight weeks.
Astronomers have ruled out ordinary stars as well as meteors and comets. While providing spectacular light shows, meteors don’t last long and don’t behave they way the Wise Men’s star behaved. Comets provide a show moving across the night sky, but historical records reveal sightings of only two comets, both appearing many years before Jesus’ birth.
Also ruled out are novae (brightening stars) or supernovae because no historical records indicate such occurrences at the time. However, in considering the possibility of planets or groupings of planets called conjunctions, astronomers have come closer to identifying significant astronomical events that fit with the the bible story.
Conjunctions of Planets
Historical records and contemporary computer simulations like those of Australian astronomer, Dave Reneke, have identified an unprecedented series of planetary conjunctions during the years of 3 B.C and 2 B.C. Reneke's sky-mapping software program simulated planetary movements of 2,000 years ago.
From August 1st in 3 B.C., Jupiter rose in the eastern sky at sunrise; and, after twelve days, Venus and Jupiter stood very close together in the rays of the morning sun. On September 14th, and in 2 B.C., on February 17th and May 8th, Jupiter stood very close to Regulus, one of the brightest stars in our solar system.
An Unusual "Star"
However, the most dramatic event was when the two brightest planets, Jupiter and Venus, appeared to collide on June 17th in 2 B.C. Coming so close together, they would have appeared as one spectacular light in the night sky.
Then, on August 27th, there was a grand conjunction of planets with Jupiter and Mars very close together and Venus and Mercury being very close in the eastern sky at dawn. Later, Jupiter moved westward. The Magi followed. After six weeks, they would have seen Jupiter in the pre-dawn sky on the Meridian due south of Jerusalem appearing directly over Bethlehem just above the southern horizon. Reaching its farthest western point in its orbit around the sun, it would have appeared to stop and stay above Bethlem in continuing its orbit around the other side of the sun.
Astronomers view such very dramatic events as capable of fitting the biblical account in Matthew.
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