Could the Star of Bethlehem actually have been this strange comet?

According to the biblical account, the Star of Bethlehem was what guided the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus. Although it has been present in religious and artistic traditions for centuries, the true nature of the star remains a mystery. However, new research points to the peculiar motion of a comet as a possible explanation.

One of the most well-known elements of Christmas stories is the Star of Bethlehem, which led the Magi to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. While the depiction of the star has been established in religious iconography over centuries, scientists and astronomers have long tried to determine whether it represented an actual celestial phenomenon.

According to new research, a strange comet with unusual motion could explain the questions surrounding the Star of Bethlehem, reports IFLScience.

The story of the Star of Bethlehem

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi were guided by the star to the manger in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Interestingly, the mention of the star appears only in this gospel, which was written decades after Jesus’ birth, around 85 AD.

The text was originally composed in Greek, and the term describing the celestial phenomenon was translated as “star,” though it is possible that it referred to a different astronomical event or astrological sign.

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A comet could be the explanation

Mark Matney, a planetary scientist at NASA, offers a new explanation for the Star of Bethlehem. The researcher examined the path of a comet recorded in Chinese records from 5 BC and concluded that the object may have exhibited geosynchronous motion. This means it would have appeared to “stand still” in the sky, allowing the Magi to follow it, just as described in the Gospel of Matthew.

According to the astronomer, if an interplanetary object passes by the Earth at the right speed, distance, and time, it can temporarily synchronise with the rotation of our planet, making it appear stationary above a particular location for a few hours. This comet could therefore provide the first explanation of the Star of Bethlehem whose supposed motion aligns with the well-known story.

Religious and cultural depictions

The depiction of the Star of Bethlehem has been influential in Christian culture for centuries, particularly associated with Giotto di Bondone. In 1305, the Italian painter created his fresco The Adoration of the Magi, in which he depicted the star as a comet. Giotto observed the passage of Halley’s Comet in 1301 and incorporated that sight into the biblical scene.

Although visually spectacular, astronomers point out that a comet on its own cannot indicate a specific path, as all celestial objects appear to move due to the Earth’s rotation. However, according to Matney’s calculations, geosynchronous motion would have made it possible for the Star of Bethlehem to seemingly guide the Magi.

Dr Greg Brown, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich in London, also notes that when trying to move toward a particular object in the night sky, one must constantly adjust direction. The object we follow does not point to a fixed location, and this is exactly what makes Matney’s calculations noteworthy.

Where science and religion meet

Although the story of the Star of Bethlehem is primarily of religious and cultural significance, scientific research offers an intriguing new perspective on the familiar Christmas story. It suggests that a real astronomical event may have inspired the gospel writer or at least contributed to the formation of the star’s legend.

This research provides further evidence that miraculous stories often have real events behind them. The Star of Bethlehem is thus not only an indispensable symbol of Christmas traditions but also a fascinating example of the intersection of science and religion.