2006-12-12 15:13:18 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
good question... no one knows for sure but the best answer I heard was it actually that the wise men were astrologers from Persia and they were watching a star formation in the constellation of Pisces the fish which in those days for astrologers represented the area of Judea. They saw in that constellation an astrological sign which indicated to them that there was a new king to be born in that area. So they were drawn to see him and confirm the science of their day which was astrology. It was no real bright star or comet or conjuncture of planets... That makes a lot of sense but their are other explanations which can be found at the websites below.
2006-12-12 15:46:57 · answer #1 · answered by arnp4u 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The North Star
2006-12-12 15:14:32 · answer #2 · answered by 86Mets 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So the legend goes, according to Mattew 2:2. The star of Bethlehem could be seen throughout the East and the Magi followed this star to the stable which sheltered Mary, Joseph & Jesus.
So, what was it really? There are many theories. The one I tend to follow the closest is the one that suggests that our solar system's 2 gas giants, Jupiter & Saturn were in alignment in about 7 BC. The two together appeared to be one large, bright "star," though I'll admit it's only one of many competing theorys and may not be correct.
On a related note, I don't see this account as a factual description of events, though there could be some historical events mixed in with mythical lore. Similar use of historical and mythical characters and events can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, for example.
Below is a link (I wish I could find something better) which talks about this phenomenon where Saturn & Jupiter aligned to form one large "star".
2006-12-12 15:29:42 · answer #3 · answered by SDTerp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Given that the gospels according to Matthew was written between 70 to 100 years *after* the fact, and is the *only* one to ever mention the wise men, and that the so called wise men came and went very discreetly withouth ever mentioning how they got there, let's say that the credibility of this tale is slim.
If the wise men did not exist, then whatever star they followed did not have to exist either.
For the record: the gospels were text that were most likely reqeusted of writers, they are the result of an order "write me a story that says this and that" in order to support the then starting church.
2006-12-12 15:33:00 · answer #4 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was a star in the East,but who knows if that star still exists. Perhaps God just made it to show the 3 wise men the way to the manger,then disappeared.
2006-12-12 15:18:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Matthew, they followed a star, know to become the Star of David, and as they approached Jerusalem
2006-12-12 15:14:19 · answer #6 · answered by Eagles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the star show at the adler planetarium in chicago has stated that there was a conjunction of stars and/or planets that caused a bright appearing star over the east at the time.
2006-12-12 15:22:07 · answer #7 · answered by cadaholic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who mentions three wise men has obviously not acutally READ the bible (although very few christians actually have). Nowhere in the bible does it mention three of any wise men visiting the baby Jesus (who would have been a walking child by the time they got to him, by the way).
2006-12-12 15:33:19 · answer #8 · answered by fnord_2005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God's star
2006-12-12 15:17:40 · answer #9 · answered by probug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is in theory a star that went supernova, and the light of that event reached earth at the time of Jesus' birth after traveling for many years through space
2006-12-12 15:19:29 · answer #10 · answered by Fabperson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋