DIGITAL DIVINITY- STAR OF BETHLEHEM MYSTERY SOLVED 'JESUS BIRTH PINPOINTED TO THE EXACT DAY'

* Software maps Star of Bethlehem
* 'Solves mysteries'
* 'Pinpoints star's location, date of Jesus' birth'


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.

Similar to the planetary alignment of the "smiley face" witnessed across the Western sky last week, he said a "beacon of light" would have been visible across the eastern dawn sky as Venus and Jupiter moved across the constellation of Leo on June 17, 2BC.

The conjunction of the planets was so close, he said the planets would have appeared as one bright star even with the naked eye.

"It's called a star but it's really a planet," Mr Reneke said.

"They could easily have mistaken it for one bright star. Astronomy is such a precise science, we can plot exactly where the planets were. It certainly seems this is the fabled Christmas star."

Theories of such a conjunction have competed with speculation the star was caused by a supernova, an exploding star, or even a comet.

By narrowing the date down, Mr Reneke said the technology has provided the most compelling explanation yet.

Asked why the mystery held such significance, Mr Reneke said the story of the Christmas star is of particular emotional significance.

"It cuts to the heart of what it means to be human beings," he said

"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."
[link to www.news.com.au]