A NASA scientist has identified a potential candidate for the cosmic Biblical ball
The story of the Three Wise Men has captured the imagination of millions(Image: Getty Images)
The story of the Three Wise Men has captured the imagination of millions over the millennia, with the fabled Star of Bethlehem often proving a source of debate for scientists.
From the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew, the story tells of scholars from the East who followed a special star to find and worship the newborn Jesus, presenting him with symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
They were warned by God in a dream not to report back to the jealous King Herod, so they returned home by a different route, signifying Jesus’ divine nature and universal kingship.
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Now, a NASA scientist believes they have discovered the star that guided the Three Wise Men on their journey.
In the Bible, it first appeared in the east, going before the three wise men, before stopping over the town of Bethlehem to mark the location of the son of God.
While some have dismissed the star as mere myth, this scientist is suggesting, like the city of Troy, the myth is far more real than some would think.
In a study published in the Journal of the British Astronomical Association, planetary scientist Mark Matney has identified a comet, first noticed by Chinese astronomers in 5BC, as a potential candidate.
As historians say that Jesus may have been born around 6BC or 5BC, the timings match.
Additionally, Mr Matney’s assessment suggests the comment may have become visible on a June morning in 5BC.
As a result, people moving south towards Bethlehem would have seen the comet going ahead of them, Mr Matney added.
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The study reads: “A comet candidate has been presented that can explain all aspects of Matthew’s pericope. A comet orbit can be constructed that both fits the Chinese observations and passed very close to Earth in early June.
“On one particular June day, this comet could have moved in such a way as to appear to ‘go before’ someone travelling from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and then ‘stop’ nearly overhead for about two hours.
“This unusual comet motion would have occurred during daylight, when ancient people would normally travel…
“The candidate presented here corresponds to all aspects of both the Chinese observations and the descriptions of the Star in Matthew.”