I don't know, I'm not an astronomer, but I am a Bible scholar.

So, what was the nature of the "star"?
- Some believe it was a genuine star
- Some say it was a conjunction of Jupiter & Saturn (Kepler's theory)
- Others say it was an erratic comet or meteor
- Still others say it was the star of destiny in the heart of mankind

Let's look at what the Bible says. The word "star" is translated from the Greek word *aster*, which means a shining or blazing forth, it can be used literally or figuratively. It could have but does NOT use the Greek word *astron*, which means a group of stars.

All the information we have about the Magi (the Kings or wise men) and the "star" is found in the book of Matthew, so lets go there. Matthew 2:2 has the wise men saying, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." Notice it says, we have seen HIS star. There must have been something really different about this "star" for them to call it "His star".

Now go down to verse 9 where it says, "... and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was." The wise men follow this "star" across Jerusalem to where it finally stops in place above where Jesus was. Now, what kind of conjunction of planets, comet, meteors, or "destiny in the heart of mankind" could do that? None of those things explain this.

However, if you know anything about God in the Old or New Testaments, you may remember that anytime God shows up, it is in the form of "light". Over and over, when God radiated His presence, He transformed it into ineffable (overwhelming, awesome, sacred) light.

When leading Israel through the wilderness (Ex. 13:21), and when dwelling over the Tabernacle (Ex. 40:38) the glory of God appeared during the daytime as a cloud of light, and at night as a pillar of fire.

When Moses went up into the mountain and asked God to show him His glory, God hid him in a rock and God showed him His glory manifest as light. So intense that Moses' face shone when he came down the mountain.

The glory of God is blazing light! THAT's what the "star" was.