Star of Bethlehem
Abstract
The biblical Star of Bethlehem, which heralded the birth of Jesus Christ, is only mentioned in the Gospel of St Matthew 2. The astrologically significant 7 bc triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces is the most likely candidate, although a comet/nova in 5 bc and a comet in 4 bc cannot be ruled out. There is also the possibility that the star was simply fictitious....
- Publication:
-
Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- July 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1888/0333750888/5430
- Bibcode:
- 2001eaa..bookE5430H
- Keywords:
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- History and Archaeoastronomy;
- History of Astronomy