STAR OF BETHLEHEM

Whether such an event really happened in history is difficult to prove, but if it did, what was the Star of Bethlehem? The Star of Bethlehem wasn't a comet or a supernovaWe know that Halley's Comet was visible in the sky in 11 B.C. Related: Was the Star of Bethlehem a star, comet … or miracle? First, this conjunction happened in the early morning hours, which aligns with the Gospel's description of the Star of Bethlehem as a rising morning star. "We may never know if the Star of Bethlehem was a conjunction, astrological event or a fable to advance Christianity.

Our solar system's two biggest planets in one viewfinder: Jupiter and Saturn. He told CBS News' Mark Strassmann how close Saturn and Jupiter will actually be to each other. This evening the planets Jupiter and Saturn will appear to merge. Every 20 years Jupiter laps Saturn, and both planets line up with Earth. "It is true that these two planets did come close actually 20 years ago," De Pree said.

Our solar system's two biggest planets in one viewfinder: Jupiter and Saturn. He told CBS News' Mark Strassmann how close Saturn and Jupiter will actually be to each other. This evening the planets Jupiter and Saturn will appear to merge. Every 20 years Jupiter laps Saturn, and both planets line up with Earth. "It is true that these two planets did come close actually 20 years ago," De Pree said.

DETROIT – If the weather cooperates, something very special will be visible on the winter solstice this Monday night -- the “Star of Bethlehem,” also known as the “Christmas Star.”Despite the names, it’s actually not a star at all. Since Jupiter orbits the sun every 12 years and Saturn orbits the sun every 30 years, the two largest planets in the solar system don’t line up very often. The two gas giants will cross paths in the night sky on the winter solstice on Monday, Dec. 21. Though the planets are 450 million miles apart, to the naked eye, they will appear as one bright light in the sky. To view the Christmas Star, turn your gaze toward the southwest sky a little after sunset on Monday, Dec. 21.

The astronomer Michael R. Molnar, for example, has argued that the Star of Bethlehem was an eclipse of Jupiter within the constellation Ares. There are at least two issues involved in associating a specific event with Matthew’s star. Kepler was not the first to suggest that the Star of Bethlehem may have been a recognizable astronomical event. Attempts to discover the identity of Matthew’s star are often creative and insightful, but I would argue that they are also misguided. Moreover, when the wise men arrive in Bethlehem, the star is low enough in the sky to lead them to a specific house.

With this year’s winter solstice comes more than just confirmation of our already-cold weather and ever-fleeting daylight: The rare “Christmas Star” will be visible for the first time in 800 years. Each year, Earth’s northern hemisphere enters the winter solstice on Dec. 21 -- the shortest day of the year -- officially marking the start of winter. This year, bright planets Jupiter and Saturn will align perfectly on Dec. 21 to create what is commonly called the Christmas Star or the “Star of Bethlehem.”According to NASA, Jupiter and Saturn align with one another every 20 years or so, but not nearly as close together as they will be in 2020. Experts say the Christmas Star can be seen by the unaided eye just after sunset on Dec. 21, 2020. You can see Saturn and Jupiter nearly align on Dec. 21, forming what appears to be a Christmas star.

LEDs take skyscraper seasonal lighting to new heights Christmas lights may be inspired by the original Star of Bethlehem, but LED technology is pushing the boundaries of skyscraper lighting, both for the holidays and year-round. Charles Osgood reports.