What was the Star of Bethlehem?
by Dr Don DeYoung 24 December 2002 Reprinted with permission from Astronomy and the Bible. Recommended resourceAstronomy and the BibleAstronomy and the Bible Dr Donald DeYoung Is the Earth at the center of the universe? How are distances measured to stars? What is a black hole? Find out the answers to these and other questions often asked about astronomy. One-hundred short, easy-to-understand answers.ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY There have been many attempts to explain the Christmas Star scientifically, and three will be mentioned here. Some scholars think this ‘star’ was a comet, an object traditionally connected with important events in history, such as the birth of kings. However, records of comet sightings do not match up with the Lord’s birth. For example, Halley’s Comet was present in 11 B.C., but the first Christmas took place around 5 to 7 B.C. Others believe that the Star of Bethlehem was a conjunction, or gathering of planets, in the night sky. Since planets orbit the sun at differe
