Astronomer has solved the Star of Bethlehem mystery, page 1

I came across this interesting article:

Astronomer Dave Reneke believes he has solved the Star of Bethlehem mystery

IT'S an enduring mystery - and a source of equal wonder to scientists and Christians alike. But an Australian astronomer believes he has answered the riddle of the Bethlehem star, even narrowing down the date of Jesus' birth to a day. The guiding star that led the three wise men, or magi, to the birthplace of Jesus Christ is one of the most lasting symbols of biblical mythology. News editor of Sky and Space magazine Dave Reneke says complex charting software has allowed astronomers to map the night sky as it would have appeared more than 2000 years ago and has revealed a spectacular astronomical event at the time of Jesus' birth. "It's like a digital map where we can move forward in time as well as backwards," Mr Reneke explained. Generally accepted research has places the nativity to somewhere between 3BC and 1AD. Using the Bible book of Matthew as a reference point, Mr Reneke pinpointed the planetary conjunction to an exact date in 2BC.

I am not a Christian and would like to know about the Bethlehem star. What was the mystery and do you believe that Astronomer has solved it?

[edit on 7-12-2008 by rattan1]

reply to post by MischeviousElf

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I have read about that before time and again. Thus why I said "convenience." Convenience on the fact it would be easier to convert a pagan population by keeping certain dates that are familiar to them and giving those dates a Christian purpose. Of course this doesn't change the fact any bit that I am Catholic and intend to continue as one.

reply to post by biomehanika

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Would you care to search for it yourself? They have gone and posted the Vatican Archives on the internet.

Have fun:

asv.vatican.va...

Edit: Correction, they have begun to post the documents on the internet and such. As of course it will take quite a few years before everything can be translated, typed up, stored, etc. Nonetheless, they are more open about things than the government.

[edit on 7-12-2008 by spec_ops_wannabe]

reply to post by spec_ops_wannabe

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Not convincing at all. They decide what to put online and they will keep the sensitive parts for themselves. The Vatican is a dying institution so they decide to put their archive online to attract the interest of people. They know that they have lost their power and influence. They cannot be trusted. Look what they did to the Templar, portraying them as dad people and all of a sudden some documents are found saying they were good people after all.

reply to post by PowerSlave

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He did not say December. I believe it is a given that most christians are aware that dec 25 was not the actual day he was born.

What is then? Or is it just an unknown?

Kinda pisses me off that his birth was celebrated in December just to try and overwrite the pagan holiday.

reply to post by biomehanika

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Please, elaborate on how they are "dying." Last time I checked they were alive and well. They continue to move forward. They still have plenty of influence, just not as directly or apparent to many. Do you really think the Vatican of today is the same exact thing as from the Middle Ages? In those times everything was about power, no matter who you were. Some groups were taken advantage of. There was much corruption plaguing the Church in those days.
I consider the Vatican today much more trustworthy than a large number of other institutions.

Originally posted by spec_ops_wannabe
reply to post by biomehanika

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Please, elaborate on how they are "dying." Last time I checked they were alive and well. They continue to move forward. They still have plenty of influence, just not as directly or apparent to many. Do you really think the Vatican of today is the same exact thing as from the Middle Ages? In those times everything was about power, no matter who you were. Some groups were taken advantage of. There was much corruption plaguing the Church in those days.
I consider the Vatican today much more trustworthy than a large number of other institutions.

A dying institution it is. The number of atheist around the world is increasing. The numerous scandal of child abuse in churches has eroded the trust of many people in the institution. And as you said they originate from the middle age…..as far as I know the word of god they preach has not changed since then…

reply to post by biomehanika

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We can always discuss the future of the Vatican on another thread. What I am interested is the issue at hand. It is very interesting to see that someone is using science to solve religious mysteries.

So we are down to a bright light in the sky referred to as the Bethlehem star. I recently read a very interesting article about an astronomer who turned back time to the 16th Century to examine a Super nova that occurred. He did that by studying light echo from that star when it exploded. I think the same thing can be done to further examine the Bethlehem star. read article to understand the Technique:


Astronomers 'Time Travel' to 16th Century Supernova

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