Star of Bethlehem was Venus?

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A rare event that would interest the Magi occurred on June 17, 2 BC, when Jupiter and Venus produced a spectacular conjunction, appearing so close together they seemed to be a single object.

Moreover, it happened as darkness fell in the Middle East.

At dusk on June 17, the two planets seemed to be almost touching. An hour later, they appeared to merge into one brilliant object.

Anyone who studied celestial happenings at that time would have been fascinated by this conjunction and perhaps motivated to seek a larger meaning from it. That's the theory anyway. And this year, it will be easy to see how Venus could attract such attention.

That's interesting.

How do they find out this stuff? Just study celestial patterns, and go backwards?

How do they find out this stuff? Just study celestial patterns, and go backwards?

Guess so... They predicted that Mars was going to be the closest it has in over 50,000 years this year (August '03?)as early as 1999 to my knowledge... They were right... So i guess its the same concept but in reverse

Well, then.. When will Venus and Jupiter come so close again to make this bright light/star, and we'd be able to see it without Binoculars..?

Hmm.

[Edited on 23-12-2003 by Zodiac]

Venus and Jupiter are the brightest objects in the sky aside from the moon and the sun.... Them coming close together should make a spectacular show,easy to see how somone back then could of mistaken it as a sign from God.

Cool just found this

science.nasa.gov...

Apparently one happened in the year 2000

This close conjunction has already been compared to the 2 B.C. conjunction of the same planets that is often identified as the "Christmas Star" reported in the book of Matthew.

More....

According to Mosley, the last time Venus and Jupiter were closer than on May 17, 2000 (separated by less than 42 arcseconds) was at 3:47 on July 21, 1859, when their centers were 32 arcseconds apart (there was no partial occultation). The next time will be at 12:45 on November 22, 2065, when their centers will be 16 arcseconds apart and the northern edge of Venus passes in front of Jupiter.

2065 seems to be the next one.... Thats a long time away

Alright, cool.. I'm going to bookmark this and remember to look at it when i'm friggin' 80 years old.

UGH, i'll be 80 in 62 years.. that's horrible. I gotta make something of myself. and Soon.

Originally posted by Zodiac
Alright, cool.. I'm going to bookmark this and remember to look at it when i'm friggin' 80 years old.

UGH, i'll be 80 in 62 years.. that's horrible. I gotta make something of myself. and Soon.

You've got it easy Zodiac!! I'll be 115 (well, let's face it, in truth *dead*....)

Mind you, the way things are shaping, perhaps that will be a merciful release....

Originally posted by Thatoneguy
Them coming close together should make a spectacular show,easy to see how somone back then could of mistaken it as a sign from God.

They weren't mistaken.

I should be 81 around that time... Should be a wonderful sight, but i doubt ill be around to see it.

Originally posted by Zodiac
That's interesting.

How do they find out this stuff? Just study celestial patterns, and go backwards?

Or ancient man went forwards to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy.
It is highly likely that historical man had an understanding of the solar sysytem that was way in advance of that which we credit him for.
Stonehenge, the pyramids and many other ancient structures seem to have been built using astronomical calculations.

There are theories that the story of Jesus' birth was timed to coincide with Venus and that this helped to seal the prophecy contained in the Old Testament.
One thing that has to be understood - Jesus was NOT born on 25th of December. This date was chosen for it's relationship to pagan faiths which used astronomy in their ideas and helped to further seal Christianity's power over other faiths. In Rome, the 25th of December was already celebrated as the day of birth of Mithras the Sun God. It was also the day of the Winter Solstice.
It is therefore likely that this was no mere coincidence and the birth-date of Christ was specifically changed to match that of the conjunction of Venus.