A 'Christmas Star' has just appeared on the southern horizon, the first time that Venus has made such a dramatic showing in some years, writes Dick Ahlstrom
The planet Venus has arrived to put people in the mood for Christmas. It now appears low on the southern horizon each evening after sunset and will reach its highest point on December 16th.
Venus typically is among the brightest objects in the night sky but it is some years since it arrived to serve as the annual "Christmas Star", says Astronomy Ireland chairman David Moore. "The planet is making a very spectacular appearance in the skies this Christmas," he says.
Each evening it climbs slightly higher above the horizon and will be at its peak between December 14th and 18th, although it is already visible for those with a good unobstructed view towards the south-southwest.
"It looks like an extremely bright star, 20 times brighter than the next brightest star in he sky. It looks like an airplane coming in to land with its headlights on," he says.
It appeared in the morning sky around Christmas 2002 but hasn't made a night time appearance close to the holiday season since before 2001, says Moore.
"It is quite rare. It is only going to last for a few weeks."
Its appearance has strong associations with Christmas, he says. "A lot of people phone to ask is that the Christmas Star and when we tell them it is Venus they ask what was the Christmas Star."
There have been books written on the subject and between these and his own researches, Moore believes he knows what might have appeared in the skies above Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago.
"I am convinced it was a triple conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in the constellation Pisces, seen on September 15th in the year 7BC," he says.
Astronomers have searched back in time for astral events that could have served as the star reported at the birth of Christ.
The two planets were in very close and bright conjunction three times during 7BC, making this a likely candidate, with the third conjunction occurring on the 15th.
This would alter the popular assumption of Christ's birth date, but this poses no difficulty for theologians, he says. "The church has no problem that Christ wasn't born on December 25th, 2005 years ago."
Some biblical references support this date. A lunar eclipse known to have occurred over Jerusalem confirms his year of death, and allows him to issue his diktat known as the "slaughter of the innocents" the previous year.
This demanded the killing of all male children in the region under two years old. Christ would have been two by that time if the 7BC birth year is correct.
Moore points out that the three wise men who reported following the star were noblemen and as such would have been well versed in astrology.
"They would have been astrologers and would have been able to predict this," he maintains.
"There is always the chance it was a miracle or a fable," says Moore. "But we know with absolute certainty the two planets were in triple conjunction in 7BC. For this to appear in Pisces only happens every 800 years. The rest is history."
If you are running out of Christmas-gift ideas you might consider a trip to Turkey next March for a chance to observe a total eclipse.
Astronomy Ireland is organising a week-long trip to Turkey's south coast near Antalya, where there should be perfect viewing for this major astronomical event.
Details are being finalised but chartered aircraft will fly participants out around March 25th or 26th for the eclipse on March 29th. Accommodation will be provided in a nearby five-star Sheraton Hotel, with all bookings being made through a bonded travel agent. Prices are being finalised but will be in the region of €700-€800.
There will be talks and a pre-eclipse party in the hotel. Details are available on www.astronomy.ie or by phoning
01-8470777.