Interesting planetary conjunction

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/20...nus-converge-for-the-first-time-in-2000-years

 

[pinacled]

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/20...nus-converge-for-the-first-time-in-2000-years

Awesome.

 

[Isaacsname]

Ahhh, neato

 

[Hoshiyya]

While I think it is interesting, I don't see why the article would go so far as to refer to a conjunction of two planets as a single "star" and draw a connection to the star of Bethlehem.

 

[Lulav]

Cool. I hope the clouds part so I can see it, seems everytime there is a sign in the skies I miss it.

 

[pinacled]

While I think it is interesting, I don't see why the article would go so far as to refer to a conjunction of two planets as a single "star" and draw a connection to the star of Bethlehem.

Actually you can run a program and see the alignments around certain dates. It's Really neat stuff. You can look at the sky and see what it was like.

 

[ContraMundum]

While I think it is interesting, I don't see why the article would go so far as to refer to a conjunction of two planets as a single "star" and draw a connection to the star of Bethlehem.

Agreed.

 

[Lulav]

Agreed.

Do you think this was a one time event, like a miracle?

 

[Hoshiyya]

Actually you can run a program and see the alignments around certain dates. It's Really neat stuff. You can look at the sky and see what it was like.

Just to clarify, I was questioning whether a conjunction should be called a "star". Is this normal ? Maybe it is, but I just haven't heard the word star used to mean a visual conjunction of two planets before.

 

[Lulav]

Just to clarify, I was questioning whether a conjunction should be called a "star". Is this normal ? Maybe it is, but I just haven't heard the word star used to mean a visual conjunction of two planets before.

I think if we are speaking of biblical language they didn't call planets, planets. In the Torah God refers to them as 'heavenly bodies'

the sun, moon, or any other heavenly bodies which I have not permitted you to worship.

Also our sun is a star but is given a separate name there.

What ever it was back then it had to be moving considerably and seen for quite some time, not a day or two.

After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.

I would think a comet would be more likely, one that has a big orbit.

 

[visionary]

I found this part interesting. Sky & Telescope suggests that a similar rare conjunction of Venus and Jupiter may have been what's been called the "Star of Bethlehem" in 3-2 BC.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astr...s/venus-and-jupiter-a-dazzling-duo-062520154/

The Greek word that is translated “star” in the text is the word aster, which is the normal word for a star or a celestial body. The word is used 24 times in the New Testament, and most of the time it refers to a celestial body. It can be used to denote angels, as in Revelation 12:4, where it is used to describe the fallen angels who followed Satan’s rebellion. However, aster is used in the sense of "a celestial body" in Matthew 2.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/star-of-Bethlehem.html#ixzz3eUPqfdvf

 

[pinacled]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120313-conjunction-venus-jupiter-sky-space-science/

"We get a reasonably close encounter every two years or so, however the ultimate in conjunctions, when Venus transits in front of Jupiter, happens more rarely," he said. The last time such a conjunction occurred was 1818, and it won't happen again until 2065, Gyuk said.

 

[visionary]

When it comes to the star of bethlehem, there are many interesting conjectures. Here is another.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/poste...y-can-explain-the-biblical-star-of-bethlehem/

 

[Hoshiyya]

I think if we are speaking of biblical language they didn't call planets, planets. In the Torah God refers to them as 'heavenly bodies'

the sun, moon, or any other heavenly bodies which I have not permitted you to worship.

Also our sun is a star but is given a separate name there.

What ever it was back then it had to be moving considerably and seen for quite some time, not a day or two.

After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.

I would think a comet would be more likely, one that has a big orbit.

I am referring to the wording in the article in the OP, not to a Biblical verse. What you say may apply to the Bible, but I was curious as to whether this was a normative definition among contemporary Astronomers.

 

[Hoshiyya]

I found this part interesting. Sky & Telescope suggests that a similar rare conjunction of Venus and Jupiter may have been what's been called the "Star of Bethlehem" in 3-2 BC.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astr...s/venus-and-jupiter-a-dazzling-duo-062520154/

The Greek word that is translated “star” in the text is the word aster, which is the normal word for a star or a celestial body. The word is used 24 times in the New Testament, and most of the time it refers to a celestial body. It can be used to denote angels, as in Revelation 12:4, where it is used to describe the fallen angels who followed Satan’s rebellion. However, aster is used in the sense of "a celestial body" in Matthew 2.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/star-of-Bethlehem.html#ixzz3eUPqfdvf

Interestingly Gk. Aster sounds like Heb. Ester, from the triconsonantal root STR meaning "to hide".

 

[Lulav]

I am referring to the wording in the article in the OP, not to a Biblical verse. What you say may apply to the Bible, but I was curious as to whether this was a normative definition among contemporary Astronomers.

Ok, sorry, I misunderstood.

 

[pinacled]

Took a look out tonight. They are still pretty far apart. Under a pinky width or so. Still pretty impressive though.

 

[ContraMundum]

Do you think this was a one time event, like a miracle?

I honestly don't know.

 

[pinacled]

Not sure if the Date was correct.
Now I hear they are going to be closer tonight.

 

[Winken]

Clouds and bright sunset obscured the location tonight.