Monday, December 25, 2006 at 1:01am
What was the Christmas star?
Astronomers have proposed a variety of sources over the years for the Christmas star — comets, a supernova or a grouping of planets. The actual astronomical events of the time suggest a solution, according to Griffith Observatory astronomer John Mosley.
Mosley's 1987 book "The Christmas Star" examines the sky during the time frame that historians assume Jesus was born, between 3 B.C. and A.D. 1. One would also assume that the Star of Bethlehem could be observed by skywatchers elsewhere in the world, and not just by the Magi — who were actually priests who relied on astrology.
These assumptions rule out comets, brightening stars known as novae, and exploding stars known as supernovae. The Chinese, who were adept at cataloging astronomical phenomena, recorded no such phenomena during the time frame, MSNBC Interactive reported Sunday.
In addition, a comet or supernova big enough to attract the Magis' attention would have been noticed by royalty and commoners as well. King Herod and his advisers, however, seemed not to know about the star until the wise men from the east mentioned it.
If we suppose the "star" actually referred to planets, however, the situation becomes clear. Movements and groupings of planets were exceedingly interesting to astrologers and were closely tracked. Historical records and modern-day computer simulations say that a rare series of planetary groupings occurred during 3 B.C. and 2 B.C.
On the morning of June 12, 3 B.C., Venus could be sighted very close to Saturn in the eastern sky. Then there was a spectacular pairing of Venus and Jupiter Aug. 12 in the constellation Leo, which ancient astrologers associated with the destiny of the Jews.
Between September 3 B.C. and June 2 B.C., Jupiter passed by the star Regulus in Leo, reversed itself and passed it again, then turned back and passed the star a third time. This was significant because astrologers considered Jupiter the kingly planet and regarded Regulus as the "king star."
Finally on June 17, Jupiter seemed to approach so close to Venus that they would have looked like a single star to the naked eye. That whole sequence of events could have spurred at least three astrologers to go to Jerusalem and ask Herod: "Where is he that is born King of the Jews, for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him."
Mosley's 1987 book "The Christmas Star" examines the sky during the time frame that historians assume Jesus was born, between 3 B.C. and A.D. 1. One would also assume that the Star of Bethlehem could be observed by skywatchers elsewhere in the world, and not just by the Magi — who were actually priests who relied on astrology.
These assumptions rule out comets, brightening stars known as novae, and exploding stars known as supernovae. The Chinese, who were adept at cataloging astronomical phenomena, recorded no such phenomena during the time frame, MSNBC Interactive reported Sunday.
In addition, a comet or supernova big enough to attract the Magis' attention would have been noticed by royalty and commoners as well. King Herod and his advisers, however, seemed not to know about the star until the wise men from the east mentioned it.
If we suppose the "star" actually referred to planets, however, the situation becomes clear. Movements and groupings of planets were exceedingly interesting to astrologers and were closely tracked. Historical records and modern-day computer simulations say that a rare series of planetary groupings occurred during 3 B.C. and 2 B.C.
On the morning of June 12, 3 B.C., Venus could be sighted very close to Saturn in the eastern sky. Then there was a spectacular pairing of Venus and Jupiter Aug. 12 in the constellation Leo, which ancient astrologers associated with the destiny of the Jews.
Between September 3 B.C. and June 2 B.C., Jupiter passed by the star Regulus in Leo, reversed itself and passed it again, then turned back and passed the star a third time. This was significant because astrologers considered Jupiter the kingly planet and regarded Regulus as the "king star."
Finally on June 17, Jupiter seemed to approach so close to Venus that they would have looked like a single star to the naked eye. That whole sequence of events could have spurred at least three astrologers to go to Jerusalem and ask Herod: "Where is he that is born King of the Jews, for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him."