From the birth of Jesus Christ to Newton’s discovery of gravity, great conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn have many notable connections in human history.
A Nativity presentation showing the three wise men being led by the Star of Bethlehem.
Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
A conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn is giving rise to speculations that it is the same astronomical event as the biblical Star of Bethlehem. An expert explains why it is not.
‘What difference would it make to human life if a celestial event were unequivocally linked to the very night of Jesus’ birth?’
Nathan Rupert/Flickr
The wise men were likely accomplished Greek astrologers, watching the stars for signs of a king’s birth. Technical terms used in the Bible’s description point to a real astronomical event.