What was the ‘Star of Bethlehem’? Was it a planet or a distant exploding star?
For centuries, the 'Star of Bethlehem' has captivated believers, scholars, and skywatchers alike. The Biblical account in the Gospel of Matthew describes a brilliant star that the Magi saw — a celestial sign they followed to Bethlehem after informing King Herod of the birth of a new "king of the Jews". But what exactly did they see? Does modern astronomy offer any clue to this 'Star of Bethlehem'?