The Star of Bethlehem

Several people have offered an astronomical explanation for the Christian story surrounding the birth of Christ.  In the story, the Star of Bethlehem led three "wise men" to the manger.  Your job is to research 3 such stories which could have been this "star" from an astronomical point of view.   Once you find them, please list your sources and give a brief overview in your own words.  Please do not get too technical but make sure to offer commentary why or why not the idea would be significant in ancient Hebrew culture.  Do you find any of these hypothesis valid?

In this time, astrology and astronomy were the same.  The "wise men" were likely astrologers.  Hebrew astronomers focused on the the planet Jupiter since (in their culture), Jupiter represented the "Future King".  Anything odd or unusual about Jupiter most likely held great significance to them.  With that in mind, here are two events that could have been astrological signs taken as the coming of the Magi.

One of the greatest conjunctions occurred between Jupiter and Saturn in 7 BC (actually three events over most of the year). 

Or

An occultation of Jupiter by the moon in the constellation of Aries in 6 BC.  Although not visible any astrologer would have known about this event.  In Jewish tradition, Aries was associated with Judaea.  In fact, there were several occultations this year.  Two with Jupiter (March 20 and April 17)  and two with Saturn.  (March 19 and April 19).  Taken by themselves, a single event is not all that rare but a series such as this is quite rare and could have easily been taken as a sign worth paying attention to.

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OR

A nova (not supernova) occurred in 5BC and was recorded by Chinese astronomers.  A nova is s sudden brightening of a star and will be covered in unit 5.

OR

Anyone looking toward the east on August 12, 3 BC would have noticed a great conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in Leo (which was significant in Hebrew culture).  However, the date occurs AFTER the death of King Herod.  If the date of his death is in error, this would have been another sign to the ancient astrologers.

There have been numerous other astronomically related ideas that have been proposed as the Star of Bethlehem (all unlikely).  I will be satisfied with any other hypothesis you find (with sources of course).

Here is what the Star of Bethlehem was NOT likely to be:  Any event after 4 BC is unlikely since King Herod died in 4BC.  Any comet would have been taken as a sign of doom .. not the coming of the Messiah.  No known supernova remnant has been found which dates to that time period.  A meteor or fireball occurs so quickly it is highly unlikely this was the signal to the Magi.

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