Star of Bethlehem could be comet described in ancient Chinese source - new study

The mystery of the Star of Bethlehem, which, according to the Gospel of Matthew, led the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus Christ, has excited historians, astronomers and theologians for decades. A new study suggests that it may not have been a supernatural phenomenon, but a rare comet recorded in ancient Chinese chronicles more than 2,000 years ago.

The work is published in the Journal of the British Astronomical Association and offers one of the most detailed astronomical explanations of the biblical story.

Why the movement of the "star" was questionable

The Gospel text says that the star "went before them and stopped over the place where the child was". Such behaviour is not typical of ordinary stars or planets, which simply rise in the east and set in the west because of the Earth's rotation.

Scientists identify three possible explanations:

1. the description is symbolic or mythological in nature;
2. it's a miracle;
3. there was a rare but natural astronomical phenomenon that could explain the movement.

The authors of the new study focused precisely on the third option.

Comet with a "stop" in the sky

The researchers note that in rare cases, a celestial object can appear temporarily stationary relative to an observer on Earth - an effect similar to geosynchronous motion. Theoretically, such behaviour could be achieved by a comet if it passes at a certain distance and at a suitable speed.

Previously, known comets, including Halley's Comet, were considered as candidates, but they did not match in dates and position in the sky.

Ancient Chinese text as key evidence

The turning point was the mention in the Chinese chronicle Han shu (History of the Han Dynasty) of the so-called "broom star," an ancient term for a comet. The record dates from the second month of the second year, which according to modern calculations corresponds to the period from 9 March to 6 April 5 BC.

According to the authors of the study:

• the object was observed for more than 70 days, indicating its brightness;
• the dates coincide with the estimated time of Jesus' birth;
• the period fits within the reign of King Herod, who died in 4 BCE.

Modelling confirmed the hypothesis

Using numerical modelling, scientists reconstructed the possible orbit of the comet. The calculations showed that in June 5 B.C. it could have passed close enough to Earth to appear almost stationary over the Bethlehem area for a few hours.

According to the best-fitting model, the object could have "hovered" in the sky for about two hours, which is remarkably accurate to the Gospel description.

Why the Magi took the comet as a sign of the birth of a king

Sceptics have long pointed out that comets were often considered bad omens in ancient times. However, researchers have studied Greco-Roman and Mesopotamian astrological texts and concluded that the interpretations were ambiguous.

A number of sources linked the comet's appearance to:

• events in ruling dynasties;
• a change of power in dependent kingdoms;
• the birth or death of rulers.

The authors suggest that it was this interpretation that may have convinced the Magi that a new king had been born in Judea.

Not a definitive answer, but an important step

Scientists emphasise: it is impossible to say with complete certainty that the comet from "Han shu" and is the Star of Bethlehem. However, the work proves that an astronomical explanation can no longer be considered impossible.

"This study shows that the claim that no celestial phenomenon could behave as described in Matthew is no longer tenable," the authors conclude.