THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 21, 1994 TAG: 9412210015
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES SCHULTZ, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
ANCIENT ASTRONOMERS saw almost every movement in the heavens as fraught with meaning. Solar eclipses marked the coming of cataclysm. Meteors, comets and exploding stars foretold the birth of kings or the death of kingdoms.
What, then, does modern science make of the star of Bethlehem? The Bible tells of a blazing celestial beacon followed by three Magi as they brought gifts of worship to the infant Christ. Did the trio actually see such a guiding light, or has the story of their journey been exaggerated or mistold?
``Star of Wonder,'' playing through most of the holiday season at the Virginia Living Museum planetarium in Newport News, takes on the role of astral detective. Viewers, transported back to the Middle Eastern skies of 20 centuries past and a possible answer, settle into their seats as stars, planets and galaxies whirl overhead.
``Every Christmas you hear people bring up candidates for the Christmas Star,'' said Kenneth Moore, ``Star of Wonder'' producer and a Virginia Living Museum planetarium lecturer. ``It's one of those things very difficult to explain.''
For clues, Jon U. Bell, former director of astronomy for the Virginia Living Museum and now a planetarium director in Florida, scoured the slim historical record and compared it to the latest findings in astronomy. Bell said he worked hard to keep his own religious feelings out of the script (he's a devout Methodist).
The result may not be in strict accordance with biblical teaching.
``We (scientists) can't choose up sides,'' he said. ``All we can do is present the viewpoint of astronomy and science. No one was there recording the details to the satisfaction of the 20th century mind. There was no such thing as the Bethlehem-Pilot and Ledger Star.''
``Star'' challenges some common Christmas assumptions. The first is that Dec. 25th is the exact date when Jesus was born. Bell believes a more likely date is in the spring or summer, the traditional time when ``shepherds tended their flocks by night,'' in the open air.
Nor, it seems, did Jesus' birth occur 1,994 years ago. A birth date of 2 or 3 B.C. is more certain, given the weight of astronomical data and contemporary historical writings. The miscalculation comes courtesy of Dionysius Exiguous, a 6th century Catholic theologian, mathematician and astronomer.
``Star'' cites the traditional Roman feast of Saturnalia as the primary reason that Christmas is celebrated in winter. It was a post-harvest time of celebration, conviviality and gift exchange. Public business was suspended, and homes, streets and buildings were festively decorated.
As for the Magi's celestial light: ``Star'' says the trio traveling to see the Christ child was likely not following a star at all, but an usual conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Venus.
In the night skies of Palestine on June 17, 2 B.C., the pair would have passed so close together as to lose their individual identities to the naked eye, merging into a single beacon of brilliant white light. The wise men could have used the twinned planets as a polestar to find their way to the manger in Bethlehem.
In the end, author Bell and the Living Museum say they aren't out to challenge anyone's faith. The program is meant to celebrate the holidays by taking a different look at skies that would have been as familiar to early Christians as they are to their descendants.
``People enjoy the show,'' producer Moore said. ``It puts the spirit of Christmas into everybody.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Above: See "Star of Wonder" at the Virginia Living Museum
planetarium
Graphic
PLANETARIUM FACTS
``Star of Wonder'' will be presented through Jan. 8 at the
Virginia Living Museum at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. in Newport News.
Children must be at least 4 years old to be admitted. Admission is
$2.50 for adults and $2.00 for children 4 to 12.
The museum will be closed on Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1. Otherwise,
showtimes are Monday through Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursdays at
7:30 p.m. Saturday shows are 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
On Sunday, showings are 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. On Dec. 22 and 23, two
extra showtimes will be added: at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
For more information, call 595-1900.
by CNB