B
baxter
Guest
They found that a bright star which appeared over Bethlehem 2,000
years ago pinpointed the date of Christ's birth as June 17 rather than
December 25.
The researchers claim the 'Christmas star' was most likely a
magnificent conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter, which were
so close together they would have shone unusually brightly as a single
"beacon of light" which appeared suddenly.
If the team is correct, it would mean Jesus was a Gemini, not a
Capricorn as previously believed.
Australian astronomer Dave Reneke used complex computer software to
chart the exact positions of all celestial bodies and map the night
sky as it would have appeared over the Holy Land more than 2,000 years
ago.
It revealed a spectacular astronomical event around the time of
Jesus's birth.
Mr Reneke says the wise men probably interpreted it as the sign they
had been waiting for, and they followed the 'star' to Christ's
birthplace in a stable in Bethlehem, as described in the Bible.
Generally accepted research has placed the nativity to somewhere
between 3BC and 1AD.
Using the St Matthew's Gospel as a reference point, Mr Reneke
pinpointed the planetary conjunction, which appeared in the
constellation of Leo, to the exact date of June 17 in the year 2BC.
The astronomy lecturer, who is also news editor of Sky and Space
magazine, said: "We have software that can recreate exactly the night
sky as it was at any point in the last several thousand years.
"We used it to go back to the time when Jesus was born, according to
the Bible.
"Venus and Jupiter became very close in the the year 2BC and they
would have appeared to be one bright beacon of light.
"We are not saying this was definitely the Christmas star - but it is
the strongest explanation for it of any I have seen so far.
"There's no other explanation that so closely matches the facts we
have from the time.
"This could well have been what the three wise men interpreted as a
sign. They could easily have mistaken it for one bright star.
"Astronomy is such a precise science, we can plot exactly where the
planets were, and it certainly seems this is the fabled Christmas
star.
"
Mr Reneke, formerly the chief lecturer at the Port Macquarie
Observatory in New South Wales, added: "December is an arbitrary date
we have accepted but it doesn't really mean that is when it happened.
"This is not an attempt to decry religion. It's really backing it up
as it shows there really was a bright object appearing in the East at
the right time.
"Often when we mix science with religion in this kind of forum, it can
upset people. In this case, I think this could serve to reinforce
people's faith.
"
Previous theories have speculated the star was a supernova - an
exploding star - or even a comet. But Mr Reneke says by narrowing the
date down, the technology has provided the most compelling explanation
yet.
--------->
jesus christ was born in june science will say. i believe it, why
not?? did someone just think that jesus christ should've been born
during the winter months?? why would someone change this about?? maybe
he wasn't known as truly important as he was when he grew up and
became super perfect. maybe this is why *** is ******. i wonder if the
religious people of the world will just say okay and switch around the
holiday, or will they get all uptight about it.
- bax
years ago pinpointed the date of Christ's birth as June 17 rather than
December 25.
The researchers claim the 'Christmas star' was most likely a
magnificent conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter, which were
so close together they would have shone unusually brightly as a single
"beacon of light" which appeared suddenly.
If the team is correct, it would mean Jesus was a Gemini, not a
Capricorn as previously believed.
Australian astronomer Dave Reneke used complex computer software to
chart the exact positions of all celestial bodies and map the night
sky as it would have appeared over the Holy Land more than 2,000 years
ago.
It revealed a spectacular astronomical event around the time of
Jesus's birth.
Mr Reneke says the wise men probably interpreted it as the sign they
had been waiting for, and they followed the 'star' to Christ's
birthplace in a stable in Bethlehem, as described in the Bible.
Generally accepted research has placed the nativity to somewhere
between 3BC and 1AD.
Using the St Matthew's Gospel as a reference point, Mr Reneke
pinpointed the planetary conjunction, which appeared in the
constellation of Leo, to the exact date of June 17 in the year 2BC.
The astronomy lecturer, who is also news editor of Sky and Space
magazine, said: "We have software that can recreate exactly the night
sky as it was at any point in the last several thousand years.
"We used it to go back to the time when Jesus was born, according to
the Bible.
"Venus and Jupiter became very close in the the year 2BC and they
would have appeared to be one bright beacon of light.
"We are not saying this was definitely the Christmas star - but it is
the strongest explanation for it of any I have seen so far.
"There's no other explanation that so closely matches the facts we
have from the time.
"This could well have been what the three wise men interpreted as a
sign. They could easily have mistaken it for one bright star.
"Astronomy is such a precise science, we can plot exactly where the
planets were, and it certainly seems this is the fabled Christmas
star.
"
Mr Reneke, formerly the chief lecturer at the Port Macquarie
Observatory in New South Wales, added: "December is an arbitrary date
we have accepted but it doesn't really mean that is when it happened.
"This is not an attempt to decry religion. It's really backing it up
as it shows there really was a bright object appearing in the East at
the right time.
"Often when we mix science with religion in this kind of forum, it can
upset people. In this case, I think this could serve to reinforce
people's faith.
"
Previous theories have speculated the star was a supernova - an
exploding star - or even a comet. But Mr Reneke says by narrowing the
date down, the technology has provided the most compelling explanation
yet.
--------->
jesus christ was born in june science will say. i believe it, why
not?? did someone just think that jesus christ should've been born
during the winter months?? why would someone change this about?? maybe
he wasn't known as truly important as he was when he grew up and
became super perfect. maybe this is why *** is ******. i wonder if the
religious people of the world will just say okay and switch around the
holiday, or will they get all uptight about it.
- bax
