Star of Bethlehem

By Patrick Moore

Book Overview

Is the story about the Star in the East true? And, if so, what exactly was the 'star'? While Sir Patrick cannot give a definitive answer, in The Star of Bethlehem he looks at various astronomical... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 095378682X
• ISBN13: 9780953786824
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Vine House Distribution
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.1" x 0.6" x 4.9"

Customer Reviews

Small, concise book by a noted astronomer on century old mystery...

I was looking for and recommended this book on the Star of Bethlehem. I love all things having to do with the Christmas story (the original one based on Hebrew and Greek scriptures). When I was sixteen my family moved from California to Pittsburgh, PA. while there for a couple of years, I got a chance to see their local planetarium, which was named the Buhl planetarium. We were taken by our school to see the show/demonstration they did in their auditorium of what the Star of Bethlehem might possibly have been. As a deaf student in a hearing school and no access to interpreters at that point, I was unable to enjoy the show, though I got the gist of it. When I moved back to Pittsburgh after I got married and had children of my own, we took them to see this same show. It's a joy to see children looking at the night sky with their mouths open, and have them come out with questions you know you are going to need to research to answer those questions. A few years ago, the closed Buhl Planetarium to the public for whatever reason. I think they still use it for research but that is about it. The public cannot get in to see it now. So over the years I've been searching for something that would explain what was obviously being explained in Buhl during this show. This book fit the bill. I am not an anstronomer, in fact, it is one of my weakest science areas, though I am working on it. But I found Moore's explanations sensible and plausible. Using not just the scriptures, but any other written material at the time perod of portents in the heavens (which were highly regarded then) Moore spins a web of possibilities, which may or may not be weakened as more knowledge of the heavens comes to our understanding. Of course, this all happened over 2000 years ago, and even if people do not believe in the Christ story, something of great importance obviously occurred then through the writings of Josephus and others of that time period who were not of Jewish origin or persuasion. A fascinating read, and a book t hat will join my growing stack of Christmas books put out each year for my children and grandchildren to read...to remind them that Christmas is not just about receiving material gifts but of spiritual gifts and sacrifice. Karen Sadler