Star of Bethlehem Found

FINDING THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM

Using computers to confirm the appearance of the Bethlehem Star according to the Christian Bible, the book of St. Matthew, and cross referencing to the birth of baby Jesus

by Mike Otis

In 1992, I used five computer programs to initiate a program of time travel back to the time of the birth of Baby Jesus when the Bethlehem star was said to have appeared in the night sky and guided the Wise Men.

The software was coded to calculate and examine the positions of million of stars, examining the night sky for a brilliant apparition of spectacular magnitude. The calculated astronomical data was plotted to create a visual of the Star, Bethlehem, and the three Wise Men under the night sky as it may have appeared in the past. 

The story was published in a 1992 issue of Observatory Techniques Magazine, issue number 4, pages 40 and 41. It later was picked up by News and AP Wirephoto nationally across the USA. I was invited to lecture at the Christian Methodist Church where I presented additional details. I'm a baptized Christian graduated from three churches - First United Methodist, Bible Baptist, and Lutheran. I'm known for combining and explaining religion with science and technology. By reverse extrapolating the data far into the future, another apparition "Star of Bethlehem" was found! I encourage others to speculate on the positive aspects of a future apparition.

     

Northern Sky Charts

for Light Polluted Skies in the North
Little Sky Maps
This is a complete set of tiny little sky maps mastered by astronomer cartographer Zeljko Andreic, ideal for use under a light polluted sky and when star hopping with the tiny Celestron FirstScope. The maps may also help find bright stars for focus and telescope mirror calibration when using the Unistellar eVscope.

Spring

March

June

Summer

Autumn

Winter

December

Circumpolar

Chart Data

These are seasonal sky maps showing the evening sky at the beginning of astronomical twilight, with eight in the international set, going down to magnitude 4.5 for use in light polluted skies. A few fainter stars are included if needed to complete the constellation. The Circumpolar Northern hemisphere sky chart is specifically for a 45-degree North latitude.

Background
For my early years of astronomy with 4.25" and 8" reflector telescopes, I used Edmund Scientific Company's 5th magnitude star maps 1975 edition. Today, telescopes have advanced computerized GOTO and maps are seldom used, or one will simply view a screen with a planetarium program. Even with GOTO systems, star and constellation identifications may be necessary for mount calibration. Definitely, those individuals working with small non-computerized tabletop telescopes like the tiny Celestron FirstScope will want to star-hop to find the brighter deep sky objects - simple star charts will help. Also many people these days are observing from bright core city locations that show only bright stars through heavy light pollution. They don't need sky charts showing a lot of dim stars at faint magnitudes.

References & Cartographic Credit

The maps are the brainchild of Zeljko Andreic, a Croation Physicist and Astronomer, who has more celestial cartography maps in his three books, in Croation language. Source:  http://www.inet.hr/~zelandre/charts/charts.html