By the following June, Jupiter had finished crowning Regulus. The Planet of Kings traveled on through the star field toward another spectacular rendezvous, this time with Venus, the Mother Planet. This conjunction was so close and so bright that it is today displayed in hundreds of planetaria around the world by scientists who may know nothing of Messiah. They do it because what Jupiter did makes such a great planetarium show. Jupiter appeared to join Venus. The planets could not be distinguished with the naked eye. If our magus had had a telescope, he could have seen that the planets sat one atop the other, like a figure eight. Each contributed its full brightness to what became the most brilliant star our man had ever seen. Jupiter completed this step of the starry dance as it was setting in the west. That evening, our Babylonian magus would have seen the spectacle of his career while facing toward Judea.
No one alive had ever seen such a conjunction. If the Magi only began their travel plans in September, when they saw this sight nine months later, someone may have shouted “What are we waiting for? Mount up!” At the end of their travel, which may have taken weeks or months, these experts arrived in Jerusalem. They told their tale, and “all Jerusalem was disturbed.” Herod wanted to know two things: when the Star had appeared, and where this baby was. The Magi presumably described the timing of events starting in September of 3 BC and continuing through June of 2 BC. Herod sent them to Bethlehem in search of the child with orders that they return to tell where he was.
To qualify as the Star, Jupiter would have to have been ahead of the Magi as they trekked South from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Sure enough, in December of 2 BC if the Magi looked south in the wee hours, there hung the Planet of Kings over the city of Messiah’s birth.
All but one of the nine Biblical qualifications for the Star have now been plausibly satisfied:
- The first conjunction signified birth by its association to the day with Virgo “birthing” the new moon. Some might argue that the unusual triple conjunction by itself could be taken to indicate a new king.
- The Planet of King’s coronation of the Star of Kings signified kingship.
- The triple conjunction began with the Jewish New Year and took place within Leo, showing a connection with the Jewish tribe of Judah (and prophecies of the Jewish Messiah).
- Jupiter rises in the east.
- The conjunctions appeared at precise, identifiable times.
- Herod was unaware of these things; they were astronomical events which had significance only when explained by experts.
- The events took place over a span of time sufficient for the Magi to see them both from the East and upon their arrival in Jerusalem.
- Jupiter was ahead of the Magi as they traveled south from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
But the ninth qualification would require that Jupiter stop over Bethlehem. How could a planet do that? And did Jupiter do it?
I have done astronomy for over 45 years. Many people have asked me about the star of our saviors birth. I was able to put together a presentation of sorts and people were very appreciative. Since finding your dvd I feel I was vindicated in some of the claims I was sharing with people. These days I just point people in your direction instead of trying to tell them about what you have found. I still do star parties and hit the high spots such as the parts that Venus, jupiter and Regulus played in the Christmas story. Thank you ever so much for your resaerch and subsequent dvd. R T Simons
it sounds great except the part about Herod sending the Magi to
bethlehem in 2BC. Herod was not alive in then. Herod died in 4 BC.
One of the comparatively recent discoveries that has enabled my research is the finding that the best evidence suggests that Herod died in one BC. You can read a fairly brief recap of the recent scholarship on the Resource page of the website. Check out Steinmann, which I have linked in full text so you can read it for free.
Mr. Larson,
Thank you so much for your research. I believe that as we discover more of God’s universe, He is making it more and more difficult for mankind to reject His revelation. Your findings are a tremendous part of this process. Thank you.
I’m trying to correlate your research with some other research that approaches finding the birth of Jesus from a different angle. When was the date of the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus? This may correspond to some information I’m reading.
Thank you
The conjunction occurred on June 17 of 2 BC.
Rick Larson,
May I ask in which constellation this conjunction of Jupiter & Venus took place in on June 17 2BC?
Thanks,
DA Siberia
In relation to the Jupiter/Venus conjunction, you state “No one alive had ever seen such a conjunction.” Do you mean that this was the first time in history that this conjunction occurred, or just the first time in the lifetimes of the magi? Similarly, how often does this Jupiter/Venus conjunction occur – how much time between the events?
What I say is that no one alive had seen a conjunction so close, a starry object so bright. The conjunction happens approximately every 12 years, but this close of a conjunction is surpassing rare. The planets were so close they could not be separated by the naked eye, and all observation was naked eye observation at that time. That’s why I had to zoom in so far in the software to reveal the nature of the object.
Hello Mr. Larson,
My question involves the direction that the Magi would have taken from Babylon (modern day Al Hillah, Iraq). I used the starry night software and set my viewing location as Al Hillah. I noticed that the event (Venus conjoined with Jupiter) occurred in a direction that was slightly north of west. Wouldn’t this have led the magi to a location that was north of where Jesus was? If you have time I would greatly appreciate an answer because I can’t seem to wrap my head around this subtle detail and I suspect you already have. Nice job btw. I purchased the dvd a couple of years ago and have enjoyed learning about the star.
peace,
Saul H.
Sol, an educated guess would be that the Magi concluded that Judea was the right destination and probably headed for Jerusalem because it was the seat of power. Perhaps nothing more complex than that.
I think I got it. So the Magi’s location for observation must have had a latitude that was south of Bethlehem’s latitude. Then the slightly northward direction would land them in Bethlehem. Yes?
Thanks for your quick response. I was overjoyed when I realized my above post and I posted before reading your comment. Sorry about that. Yes I was thinking that also, that this is kind of splitting hairs you know. The event certainly guided them from the east to the west and that was the main point. That being said, I’d be willing to bet a dollar that their educational institution/observatory was a bit south of Babylon. Even today we have universities that are on the south side of towns. I think this would do the trick and land them spot on in Bethlehem. I think? Thanks again.
Mr. Larson I think I’ve got the angle down now. On June 17, 2 BC the direction seen from Bethlehem (17 degrees north of west) will trace back a vector that will point toward the south of Babylon. Because Mary and Joseph may have been on the north side of Bethlehem, probably rushing to find a place to deliver the baby, the results for the candidate structures south of Babylon appear to be within margins. There are two candidates, each built with mostly round stones and mortar, and each appear to have viewing platforms built, which is what ancient astronomers used instead of telescopes, because telescopes hadn’t been invented yet. This way they could see as much over the horizon as possible, trees, nearby structures, etc. In fact they were likely to the south of Babylon because they would have wanted to avoid the tall buildings that would obscure their view. Also, astronomers are very much isolationists, by their very nature, always retreating from societies so their minds can obsess over a problem for weeks on end without disturbance. Elevation, dryness, and isolation are three of the largest factors that play when selecting an observational site. Today we mostly select remote areas because of light pollution but back then the magi would have selected a remote location to avoid the tall structures of Babylon. So to the south their observatory was born at some time before the birth of Jesus. That’s my reasoning anyway.
The magi would have been watching the star crawl along the sky all night and then watched it set approximately 17 degrees north of west. If you trace a line from Bethlehem back along this angle towards the east, you’ll see that the line traces to the south of modern day Babylon (Al Silah). There are several promising candidates in this area. Here is one:
CANDIDATE COORDINATES:
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=217309207158883194023.0004d240fb92441142504&msa=0&ll=30.502951,44.534497&spn=0.004807,0.009924
FIRST SWITCH TO SATELLITE VIEW. IF YOU CLICK THE LITTLE GOLD GUY AND DRAG HIM OVER THE STRUCTURE YOU CAN SEE PICTURES THAT PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN OF THIS AREA.
References: https://bethlehemstar.wpengine.com/
HI Rick: Thanks for the response to my 21 Dec question about the 17 Jun 2 BC event. I’ve put together a document titled “When was Jesus born?” using the Bethlehem Star as a primary resource. If you let me know of an email or mailing address for where I can get it to you, I am happy to have you review it. Thanks, Jim
At this time of year, I answer many inquiries. So, I’m not sure what I might have suggested to you so far. In any case, please go to the “academic resources” page at bethlehemstar.net. There, you will find Steinmann’s work linked in full text. He presents much of the modern scholarship on the date of Herod’s death. I’m not sure it was in response to my request, but Steinmann’s publisher may have removed the fee and offered the article free because I begged a little.
Rick: I think you misunderstood what I was saying in my 27 Dec comment. I think I solved the problem so that it perfectly matches the merged (Matt+Luke) scriptural account of the nativity. The wise men were not in Babylon on 17 June 2BC. They were already in Jerusalem. They departed the east after seeing the triple conjunction (12-16 Sept 3 BC) and arrived in Jerusalem in time to follow the Jupiter-Venus conjunction on the evening of 17 June. I asked for a way to send you my findings so you can confirm them. The BIble states clearly that the wise men followed the star from Jerusalem to Bethlehem so they had to be there to follow it that evening. Use your starry night program to scan the sky north to south from Jerusalem on evening of 17 Jun. I’ll bet by twilight, the star was high in the southern sky almost straight south. The star should have reached it’s climax between 9-10 PM that night and would have looked like it was right on top of the manger. The Jupiter stopping over Bethlehem scenario on 25 Dec doesn’t fit. Jesus never returned to Bethlehem after his parents took him to Jerusalem after Mary’s (40 day) period of purification. If you let me know how I can get my work to you, I think it will clarify everything. You have my email. Let me know where I can send it or mail it. Thanks in advance for your consideration. Jim jdodge@dishmail.net
Hello Mr. Larson,
Thank you for your excellent presentation and research. I have watched your DVD several times and have quoted you in some sermons and will most likely quote you again this Sunday (Jan. 6).
My question is if you have considered the possibility that the star that went before them and rested over the place where the child was might have been an orb. I have many pictures I have taken of orbs, especially in Israel and they move and I wonder if one may have become visible to the naked eye for them to follow (normally you can only see them with flash photography). Orbs appear as stars and some have speculated that they may be angels (Jesus calls the 7 stars in his hand the 7 angels of the churches). That would certainly explain better, in my opinion, how the exact house was pinpointed.
Dan, thank you for your kind encouragement!
Whenever possible, I like to take the Bible at face value. I am careful with verbs. The Bible does not suggest that a house or the manger was *illuminated* by the star. This is something we’ve added to the story. The verb used in Scripture is “stopped.”And, that is what Jupiter did on December 25 as it entered retrograde.
In the website I gave you, Mark Blitz has taken information from the NASA website and found four blood-red moons and two solar eclipses which fall on Jewish Feast days in 2014 and 2015. If you become interested in the facts Blitz presents and track the dates and find something revealed in the stars … I would so very much like to know what you find! Exactly which Starry Night program do you use? Thanks.
I have not seen the DVD but I have read most of the site.
The implication in the Biblical account is that Herod was clueless about the appearance of Jesus’ star. If these 2 conjunctions (conception & birth) produced such bright events in the sky, even if Herod and his astrologers did not perceive their Messianic significance, how is possible they didn’t at least see them?
Thank you for this fascinating research! My mind and heart remain open to the hypothesis you have proposed and I hope to get your DVD at some point.
I think you’ll enjoy the DVD! The Romans did see the Star, and recorded it. I intend to include this information in my second film, The Christ Quake.
Is your second video, “The Christ Quake”, available for purchase now?
How I wish! Much of the research is complete. Most of the writing is complete. great footage ‘on the can’. But we await funding! We’re at 25% so far. He will provide. i will continue to prospect for funds until we have a film, as it must be made. Period. All who read this, please visit christquake.com and help make the film!
Hi guys….
What i want to know is was the conjunction between Jupiter and Venus the brightest stellar event ever recorded in history that we know of? Was it as bright , or brighter than the supernova observed in 1006?
How bright was the conjunction in 2BC between Jupiter and Venus?
thanks
andrew
Hello Mr. Larson,
You said in the DVD that Mary was pregnant on Sept 3BC and she delivered the baby Jesus on 25 Dec 2BC. Do I understand the timing correct?
CS TAM
CS: please see the answer to Anthony nearby. I do not believe Jesus was born on 12/25. I believe that was the first Christmas (arrival of the Magi with gifts at the house where Jesus was then living).
I just want to confirm a date here. I want confirmation that Jesus was born on September 11, 3 BC. According to other sources (mainly Ernest L. Martin) Jesus was born on this date. I find it interesting how the video is not clear on this point, but it’s very clear on the date of the crucifixion (April 3, 33 AD). And some significance is given here to June 17, 2 BC. Is this the actual date of conception? I would appreciate it if these points can be cleared up for me. Thank you. Anthony from New York.
Hey, Anthony. I’m not dogmatic about this, as I’m not sure astral observations permit such, but I think these dates fit: conception 9/3, birth 6/2, magi 12/2. I don’t make much of 9/11 only because that spectacle disturbs the objective nature of presentation for some. That date may well be significant, but that is a different, complicated and speculative topic for another day.
I see your point when you say that “I don’t make much of 9/11 only because that spectacle disturbs the objective nature of presentation for some.” This is a very sensitive issue and I can see why you would want to leave this particular point out of your presentations. However, I am inclined to follow the truth wherever it leads and Ernest L. Martin makes a rather compelling case for 9-11-3BC being the birth of Jesus. Based on his research he was born this day sometime between 6:15pm and 7:45pm. Also, I believe the cross on the site of the fallen towers is symbolic (http://alturl.com/gug8g). The perfectly formed cross may very well be a message to those with the wisdom to see it. It is almost as if God is sending a message. The image creates a clear connection between a very specific date (9-11) and the ultimate symbol of Jesus Christ; the cross. This clear straightforward connection just ads more credibility to the research of Ernest L. Martin. Another point: his book, “The Birth of Christ Recalculated” was published in 1978; long before 9-11-2001. For more details, see this page: http://www.askelm.com/star/star006.htm
Dear Larson,
If you think June , 2BC is the birthday of our Lord Jesus, could you justified this date by verses or events in Bible.
CS TAM
Dear Larson,
I think if you can fix 3BC, 11 Sept is the date of our Lord was born, then everthing is clear. This is because 3BC, 11 Sept is the first day of Jews new year, this is a new moon. This is the Day of Trumpets which is a very very signifiance day in Bible.
The last trumpet in Book of Revelation reveal that this is the time that our Jesus return. This is a very important discovery which match every verse in Bible related to the birth of our Lord.
I tend to think that June 2BC is not Jesus birthday and I also agree that 25 Dec 2BC is the day that Magi gave gift to our kid Jesus (no longer baby at that time). Then all the days in your DVDF will match with all verses in the Bible. CS TAM
Dear Larson,
The birthday of Jesus is one of the most important dates in the bible, it links up with all verses and prophecies in the Bible. That is why we cannot overlook the importance of this date. If we cannot firm on this day, we cannot fully understand the meaning in the Bible and its implication especially at the end time.
CS TAM, registered Architect from Hong Kong
Dear Larson,
Jesus was conceived on Hanukkah December 13th 4 B.C. and not 11 Sept , 3B.C. as you thought.
CS TAM registered Architect from Hong Kong
Dear Larson,
Jesus was conceived on Hanukkah December 13th 4 B.C.
Could you find, by your good computer software “Starry night,” any particular astronomical feature happened at that day?
Could you advise me which version of “Starry night” you are using?
Because the top version of this software is very expensive, could I buy this version and can see the feature you have discovered “Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack” ?
CS TAM registered Architect from Hong Kong
Dear Larson,
Bible Matthew 24:29 mentioned that ” But straight away, after the trouble of those days, the sun will be made dark and the moon will not give her light and the stars will come down from heaven and the powers of heaven will be moved”. Could you check this date by your computer software Starry Night?
CS TAM registered Architect from Hong Kong
Dear Larson,
I have made a search in the website and found out that there are many website confirming that our Lord Jesus was born on Sept 11, 3BC. I suggest you should better study the same and make some amendments in your DVD and other related materials before these materials are released again to the public.
I think the birthday of our Lord Jesus should be biblical correct which is a very important starting point and conclusion in your research.
TAM Cheung Sum , registered Architect from Hong Kong
Dear Larson,
There are many website showing the birth of our Lord on 11 Sept 3bc, here is one example for your reference.
http://www.cortright.org/revsign.htm
TAM Cheung Sum , registered Architect from Hong Kong
Dear Larson,
I found out some other author used other method to search the real birthday of our Lord and come to the same conclusion on 11 Sep, 3bc.
You might search the following in google:-
“JESUS’ BIRTHDAY. Introduction by: Bell Research Laboratory.’
TAM Cheung Sum , registered Architect from Hong Kong
Dear Larson,
Just for your reference, the following Youtube also say the Jesus was born on 11 Sept , 3bc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6YOtG0JMWE
your might see time 12:30 in the youtube
TAM Cheung Sum , registered Architect from Hong Kong
Dear Larson,
I suggest you read the following passage which gives a very detail explanation on the real birth date of our Jesus Christ.
http://www.versebyverse.org/doctrine/birthofchrist.html
TAM Cheung Sum , registered Architect from Hong Kong
Dear Larson, I know almost nothing relative to planetary alignment. However, I have been following the tetra 2014-2015 as well as the two prior ones. I believe that Israel was made a state on the day of Pentecost, 5/14/48, and the six day war began 6/5/67. I was expecting something of major biblical significance to happen this pentecost relative to the Jews. Doesn’t appear that happened. So am wondering if the alignment of the nine planets on June 4,2014, (see reference below) bear any biblical significance for the Jews. Appreciate your comments.
Reference: Astronomers have long been aware that there would be an alignment of the planets on that date, when Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto would be on the same side of the Sun, within an arc 95 degrees wide. But now the effect could be expected as the gravitational effect of the other planets on the Earth’s crust is maximum even at their closest approach.
See More : http://news-hound.org/planetary-alignment-decreases-gravity-float-for-5-minutes-zerogday/