The theories given the most credence today are that the star of Bethlehem was a planet or conjunction of planets:
A Planetary Conjunction. Astronomer Johannes Kepler proposed in the 17th century that the star of Bethlehem could have been the conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn. Such a rare conjunction took place in 7 B.C. in the constellation Pisces, a zodiacal sign sometimes connected to the Hebrews. Kepler actually preferred the supernova explanation, however.
John Mosley, program supervisor for the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles believes the Christmas star was a rare series of planetary conjunctions that took place in during the years 3 B.C. and 2 B.C. "The show started on the morning of June 12 in 3 B.C., when Venus could be sighted very close to Saturn in the eastern sky," says an MSNBC article about Mosley's findings. "Then there was a spectacular pairing of Venus and Jupiter on Aug. 12 in the constellation Leo, which ancient astrologers associated with the destiny of the Jews. Between September of 3 B.C. and June of 2 B.C., Jupiter passed by the star Regulus in Leo, reversed itself and passed it again, then turned back and passed the star a third time. This was another remarkable event, since astrologers considered Jupiter the kingly planet and regarded Regulus as the 'king star.' The crowning touch came on June 17, when Jupiter seemed to approach so close to Venus that, without binoculars, they would have looked like a single star."
The Planet Jupiter. Dr. Mike Molnar, as astrophysicist, believes he has found good evidence that the Bethlehem star might have been Jupiter in the form of an ancient coin. The Roman coin depicts the astrological sign for Aires, the Ram (the sign of the Jews) and a bright celestial object. Molnar believes this object is Jupiter: "Jupiter underwent two occultations (eclipses) by the Moon in Aries in 6 BC. Jupiter was the regal 'star' that conferred kingships - a power that was amplified when Jupiter was in close conjunctions with the Moon.... In particular, there is confirmation from a Roman astrologer that the conditions of April 17, 6 BC were believed to herald the birth of a divine, immortal, and omnipotent person born under the sign of the Jews, which we now know was Aries the Ram."
What do you think? Was the star of Bethlehem the work of aliens, a natural if remarkable celestial event or just a fable? Or was it what many faithful have believed it to be for centuries: a miracle?
