The Christmas Star of The East: A Scientific Explanation?
Published by Can there be a scientific explanation for the Christmas Star of the East? Attempts have been made at solving the riddle of the Eastern Star, but, interesting as they are, nothing conclusive can be made of it. Recent discoveries in astronomy and in quantum physics have been awe inspiring in their enormity. The universe is what it is and it is the job of science to describe it. Science and God are not incompatible.
Unlike us, the three men, whether they were wise men, kings or magi, who found the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, did so without the benefit of a satellite operated navigation device mounted on their dashboard. But, of course, they did have a personal star dedicated solely to their task and provided by none other than God Himself.
Some of us commemorate that same Christmas star by placing a lighted star on top of our Christmas tree or on other decorations in our houses or yards.
Some relegate the Christmas star event to the realm of fiction, as part of a good story. Others believe it took place but as one of those miracles that remains outside of the realm of science. Still others look to science to solve the riddle of the Star of the East. Science, in turn, has obliged us with a search for a possible, naturally occurring, astronomical event that could be interpreted as the Christmas star.
One possible theory has it that the Eastern Star was the conjunction, or near conjunction, of the planets Venus and the much larger Jupiter. In human time this phenomenon seldom occurs. It occurred last just six years ago, on May 16, 2000. Unfortunately, nobody but astronomers saw it. As viewed from the earth the overlapping of these two planets took place so close to the sun that the sun’s light overpowered even the bright light of these two combined planets.
The latest occurrence before 2000 was in 1859, A little early for most of us. The next time will be in 2065. If you are under 40, drive carefully, don’t run with scissors and avoid germs, you might be around to see it then.
According to some pretty reliable calculations Venus and Jupiter did cross paths on June 17, 2 BC. That date may appear to be two years before the birth of Jesus but theologians have never settled just when Christ was born. A good estimate puts his birth somewhere from 6 BC to 3 BC. These dates are established by using the names of rulers and government officials, the dates they reigned, census years for given Roman territories, and so on.
If this phenomenon caused the Christmas star then it was not a “star” at all, but two planets. But that is a moot point since, even today, we look up into the heavens and point out “stars” that are really suns, planets, meteors and even space labs. The moon is about the only heavenly body that might escape that moniker.
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On December 14, 2011 at 2:26 am
wow I never knew.Thankx
On December 14, 2011 at 6:50 am
Good information.
good share informative
On December 16, 2011 at 12:38 am
Very interesting! I’m wondering if if might have been a combination of science and theology. The Lord works in myterious ways, so they say! Or, maybe he’s up there saying, “Those morons! It wasn’t a Christmas star, it was a Christmas meteor!”
Great article.
On December 16, 2011 at 7:24 am
nice one thanks for this
On December 16, 2011 at 8:10 am
I agree, science and God are not incompatible.
On December 16, 2011 at 9:09 am
that is truly an informative article. Thanks for sharing =)
On December 19, 2011 at 5:39 am
A pretty good and informative article.
Very well presented.
On December 19, 2011 at 2:37 pm
This is a fascinating theory of the Star of the East! Thank you for sharing.
On December 21, 2011 at 6:27 am
Good information for me
On December 22, 2011 at 9:48 pm
good share informative
On December 28, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Good Explanation
On December 31, 2011 at 8:20 pm
A pretty good and informative article.
Very well presented.
On December 31, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Thanks for the very informative article
Very good sharing. I like it.
On January 2, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Thanks for the great information! Some are against science and the Bible being compared, BUT science only confirms the validity of occurences in the Bible. It is amazing how God used so many different things timed just right!
On January 2, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Very good sharing. I like it.
On January 5, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Well shared.
On January 7, 2012 at 12:38 am
An excellent and interesting article with a wonderful blend of theology and science
On January 8, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Yeah – this one is a real conundrum, isn’t it? Great article.
‘Twould be nice if you paid my posts a visit, AmostheCat. Would love to see your name on my comments.
On January 8, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Yeah – this one is a real conundrum, isn\’t it? Great article.
\’Twould be nice if you paid my posts a visit, AmostheCat. Would love to see your name on my comments.
On January 8, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Yeah – this one is a real conundrum, isn’t it? Great article.
It would be nice if you paid my posts a visit, AmostheCat. Would love to see your name on my comments.
On January 15, 2012 at 2:43 pm
awesome
On February 14, 2012 at 7:41 am
Interesting article, and I shall remember to never run with scissors
Have a good one
On March 7, 2012 at 3:00 pm
I am not a Christian, although some people close to me are Christians, but I never knew about this Christmas “star” before. Glad to know about it from this very well researched article you’ve made. Thank you very much ^_^