The Christmas Star - Joe Rao via Zoom

A program dealing with what is, perhaps the most famous astronomical
event in all history – the Star of Bethlehem. What occurred in the skies of
that time which 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. In this PowerPoint
lecture, Joe Rao, an Associate and guest lecturer at New York’s Hayden
Planetarium, explores 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!

Registration required. Via Zoom. If the phone lines are down, please email ccampos@rcls.org for more information.