Just what was the Star of Bethlehem?

Martin Lunn, curator of astronomy at the Yorkshire Museum, has been investigating the star's enigmatic appearance more than two millennia ago.

He will explain his theories at a talk at the Yorkshire Museum at 7.30pm today (21st).

Martin said: "I believe there are only three options available to explain the mystery. The first is that the star is a myth or legend. The second is that it was a report of a genuine, normal astronomical event. The third is that it was a miracle."

"I will be looking at the Star of Bethlehem from an astronomical point of view. There have been lots of theories over the years, and I have been investigating what the very latest research has to say about it."

Scientists have argued for centuries about what exactly the Star of Bethlehem could have been. Some believe it was a conjunction of planets. Others have suggested it was a comet, or a nova. Martin will also be discussing his theory that the Three Wise Men were actually astronomers like himself. Martin said: "They must have had some good astronomical training to have been able to use the star to plot their journey to Bethlehem."

Tickets are available on the door, for £2. The talk is part of a series of astronomical events at the museum, which has its own observatory in the Museum Gardens.

Star of Bethlehem Theories

Conjunction

Jupiter and Saturn came together in Pisces in 7BC, appearing very close to each other in the sky. However, they would not have been close enough to be confused as a single object.

Comet

A comet could have travelled from east to south as the Wise Men travelled to Bethlehem, but the only one recorded was Halley's Comet, which appeared in 12BC.

Nova

Chinese astronomers recorded a new star in Capricorn in 5BC, which was visible for more than 70 days - but it would not have moved in the sky.

Updated: 10:01 Tuesday, December 21, 2004