Age Group:
AdultsProgram Description
Event Details
This program will explore what is, perhaps, the most famous astronomical event in all history: the Star of Bethlehem. What occurred in the skies of that time which might have lived on through the centuries as the Christmas Star? Was it a supernatural phenomenon, or was it a natural astronomical occurrence; a function of the inexorable laws of physics, appearing in the night skies at the time of the Nazarene’s birth? Modern astronomy has an explanation – or rather, several possible explanations. In this lecture, Joe Rao, an Associate and guest lecturer at New York’s Hayden Planetarium, explores the many fascinating possibilities. Could it have been a dazzling fireball meteor? A spectacular comet? An exploding star or nova? Or perhaps a rare and unusual configuration of the planets? All the evidence of history and modern astronomy is woven into the answer to create a different kind of Christmas story . . . just in time for the holiday season. The Zoom invitation will be included within the reminder E-mail.
Note: This program is co-hosted with Bedford Hills Free Library, Somers Public Library, and Hendrick Hudson Free Library.