The Christmas Star

What occurred in the skies long ago that might have lived on through the centuries as the Christmas Star? Was it a supernatural phenomenon, or was it a natural astronomical occurrence; a function of the inexorable laws of physics, appearing in the night skies at the time of the Nazarene’s birth? Modern astronomy has an explanation—or rather, several possible explanations. Meteorologist Joe Rao, an associate and guest lecturer at New York’s Hayden Planetarium, will explore the many fascinating possibilities. Could it have been a dazzling fireball meteor? A spectacular comet? An exploding star or nova? Or perhaps a rare and unusual configuration of the planets? All the evidence of history and modern astronomy is woven into the answer to create a different kind of Christmas story ... just in time for the holiday season.