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Story summary
- New research suggests the Biblical Star of Bethlehem may have been a real astronomical event, a comet observed in 5 B.C.E.
- Ancient Chinese records describe a comet that stood still for 70 days, supporting the theory.
- Planetary scientist Mark Matney's calculations show the comet could have traveled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and paused overhead briefly.
- Some scholars view the Christmas Star as symbolic fiction, but interest in celestial phenomena remains.
