The great conjunction in December 2020, with Jupiter and Saturn, made comparisons with the 2 AC theorized one to be the star of Bethlehem. Credit: NASA/JPL-CALTECH
On June 17, in the year 2 BC, a significant planetary conjunction occurred involving Venus and Jupiter. From the terrestrial point of view, these two bright planets seemed to approach so close that they would seem to merge into an almost single and brilliant object in the sky. This type of celestial alignment occurs because the planets move in their orbits at different speeds, making them seem periodically to go to each other from the terrestrial view, despite the fact that hundreds of millions of miles remain distance in space. This conjunction is an explanation theory for the star of Bethlehem: for the ancient astrologers, the movements and the vicinity of the planets had a profound meaning and it was believed that they provided for future events, making the conjunction of June 17 a candidate for the celestial sign required by the Magi at the moment of the birth of Jesus Christ.
