The Star of Bethlehem Explained

The Adoration of the Magi (circa 1305) by Giotto, purportedly depicting Halley. 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For centuries astronomers have speculated about the famous Star of Bethlehem, which the three Magi (the three wise men/the three kings) followed to the place of Christ's birth. Of course, the star may defy scientific explanation altogether, and be viewed as a miracle. Nevertheless, various astronomical theories have been proposed, including that the star may have been a comet, or a supernova (an exploding star), or a "planetary conjunction" (a gathering of planets in one part of the sky). In this column, we'll examine two of today's most popular theories, both of which hold that the planet Jupiter played a key role.

First, though, it's useful to recall what the Bible says about the most famous star in history:

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come to a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." Matthew 2:1-12

If you Google "Star of Bethlehem," the Web site of a best selling DVD, The Star of Bethlehem, ranks at the very top. The DVD features American attorney, Sunday school teacher, and amateur astronomer Rick Larson, who has conducted extensive research into the scientific, historical and theological aspects of the Star of Bethlehem.

After a careful review of scripture, Larson identifies nine characteristics of the star that, he believes, any scientific theory of the star must meet in order to be compliant with Christian belief. For example, we can see from Matthew 2:1-12 that the star signified the birth of a king, that it was associated with the Jewish nation, and that, "it stopped over the place where the child was" - Bethlehem.

Larson then draws on his study of ancient history to address the all-important issue of the year that King Herod died. According to Matthew 2, after the birth of Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, urging Joseph to flee Israel and take Mary and the infant Jesus to Egypt so as to avoid the wrath of Herod, who had issued orders that all male children in his realm under the age of two be executed. Later in Matthew 2, an angel informs Joseph that Herod has died and that it is safe to return to Israel. So the argument goes that we should subtract two years from the year of Herod's death to estimate the year Jesus was born. Knowing Jesus' estimated year of birth allows astronomers to run computer simulations of the positions of the stars and planets as they appeared in the night sky during the approximate time frame of Jesus' birth.

Most historians and biblical scholars put Herod's death at around the year 4 BC, meaning Jesus would have been born sometime around 6 BC. But Larson points to recent historical research arguing that Herod died in 1 BC, which would place Jesus' birth year around 3 BC.

Using modern astronomical software, Larson then runs computer simulations of the night sky over the Middle East in 3 and 2 BC and reaches two remarkable results - both involving the planet Jupiter.

Viewing the night sky from Jerusalem in mid-September of 3 BC, an observer could see Jupiter, known as the "King Planet" (from classical mythology) in conjunction with (i.e., close to) the star "Regulus," known as the "King Star. Furthermore, Regulus is in the constellation (area of the night sky) "Leo," which represents a lion, which was the symbol of Judah.

Furthermore, Larson notes, the planets in the night sky move relative to the 'fixed' stars: If you note the position of, say, Jupiter relative to stars such as Regulus from night to night, then you'll note that Jupiter generally moves eastward across successive night skies. However, occasionally, Jupiter will seemingly halt its eastward movement, and begin moving westward across successive night skies. (This is an optical effect - called "retrograde motion" - resulting from the fact that Earth's orbit around the sun lies within Jupiter's orbit around the sun. Jupiter, Saturn and other planets outside Earth's orbit demonstrate the same retrograde motion as we view those planets from Earth, which itself is in motion in its orbit about the sun. Our planet's orbital motion combined with the orbital motions of the outer planets cause the retrograde motion optical effect.) As Jupiter switches from moving eastward to moving westward (or vice versa), Jupiter appears to be stationary relative to the stars. In this way, Jupiter appeared to stop "over the place where the child was," as we read in Matthew 2.

But, Larson argues, this conjunction of Leo with Regulus may have marked the conception of Jesus. If we run the computer simulation of Jerusalem's night sky forward nine months into June of 2 BC, we find that Jupiter and the planet Venus - two of the brightest planets in the night sky - come into extremely close conjunction, so much so that the two planets appear together as one, very bright 'star' in the night sky!

So the conjunction of Jupiter with Regulus in 3 BC, and/or the conjunction of Jupiter with Venus nine months later in 2 BC, may very well have been the star the Magi followed.

If we return to the Google search results for "Star of Bethlehem," we find the Web site of professional astronomer Michael Molnar, who takes a different approach to the star of Bethlehem. In his book, The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi, Molnar explores not only the Biblical account of the star but also the point of view of the Magi, whom Molnar argues were astrologers/astronomers: In the ancient Roman world, astrology and astronomy were indistinguishable. The Magi were held in high esteem in Roman culture and were considered to be very knowledgeable, indeed, wise men.

Molnar, who does not believe in astrology, nevertheless has extensively researched the astrological beliefs prevalent in the Roman world. He argues that modern astronomers who think about the Star of Bethlehem make a mistake by focusing on what spectacular displays may have appeared in the night sky around the time of Jesus' birth, such as the appearance of a very bright star. The focus on amazing heavenly displays is a bias of relatively modern astronomers, Molnar argues. The Magi of ancient Rome, Molnar explains, were primarily concerned with the logic of their astrological system, which placed primary emphasis on the locations and arrangements of the planets in the night sky - the sequence of planets in the night sky, what constellations they were in, how far above the horizon they appeared at sunrise, etc.

So, for example, the fact that Jupiter and Venus were so close to one another that they appeared as one, very bright star would not necessarily be significant to the Magi. Rather, the Magi would be much more interested in knowing whether Jupiter was to the east of Venus or to the west of Venus, the constellation(s) in which the two planets were located, and how high above the horizon the two planets appeared at sunrise.

Accepting the consensus view of most scholars that Herod likely died in 4 BC, Molnar considers the positions of the planets in the night sky two years earlier - in 6 BC - and finds a particular arrangement of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mars and Mercury, together with the Moon and Sun, that would have been of great astrological significance to the Magi, indicating that a king was being born. Furthermore, the centring of this particular planetary arrangement in and around the constellation Aries was significant, in part because in Roman-era astrology Aries was the sign of Judea. So to the Magi, the arrangement of the stars and planets in 6 BC led them to believe that a great king was born in Judea. Moreover, we should bear in mind Jupiter's retrograde motion, as well as the spirit of revolution in the air at the time - the notion that a messiah would soon lead the Jewish people in revolt against the Roman Empire. All of these factors combined, then, would naturally have induced the Magi to travel to Jerusalem - the capitol city of Judea - to inquire as to the whereabouts of the newborn king.

So whether we take the more Biblically-oriented analysis of Larson or the more astrologically-oriented analysis of Molnar, we find compelling scenarios that support the notion that the Star of Bethlehem was a real, historical event.

Richard Pickering is an astronomer for Name A Star Live, which lets you express your feelings in a romantic, meaningful way by 'naming a star' for a loved one. While no star-naming service can change the scientific designations of stars, only Name A Star Live makes it real by providing you: Virtual Planetarium astronomy software; an opportunity to view your star live using an online telescope; and the launch of your star name into space! Article Source: EzineArticles

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All About Brain Anatomy

Brain Anatomy - Photo: Wikimedia

The brain is a fascinating and complex unit of our anatomy. The brain is responsible for so many things. It stores our short term and long term memories. The ability to learn is from our brain as well. Our emotions and triggers are stored in our brain. The brain is a source of information on everything we do and about who we are. 

The anatomy of the brain shows us just how complex it truly is. There is so much about brain science and the medical field have not yet uncovered. However, there is a great deal we have learned about the brain by studying the physical features of it. We have also learned from the neurological aspects of the brain. We have the ability to perform brain surgery and remove tumours as well as install plates for those who have neurological damage. This is a fascinating area of science and medicine that can be overwhelming to learn about in detail.

There are six main areas of the brain to learn about. The parietal lobe helps us understand written language as well as communicate with others. Our sensory cortex is located here, controlling the sensations we get with touching and amounts of pressure. This is also an area of judgment for size, weight and distance.

The occipital lobe is located at the rear of the brain. This is where visual information is processed. It helps users to recognize shapes and colours. The cerebellum helps us with coordination including balance and muscle movement that help you walk, talk, eat, and routine tasks involved in caring for ourselves. 

The brainstem is a very important part of the brain. It is connected to the spinal cord. This portion of the brain helps with required body functions including breathing, digesting, the regulation of the heart rate, blood pressure and being alert while awake. 

The temporal lobe is how we smell. This is surprising information for most of us who think only the nose is responsible for our sense of smell. This region is also used for short-term memory processing. 

The frontal lobe is a very important portion of the brain. It is responsible for planning, organizing, problem-solving, paying attention to details, behaviour, and emotions. This is the area of our brain we use the most in our daily routines and decisions.

Since the brain performs so many features, it is obvious why a brain injury can be so serious. It can result in death if areas such as the brainstem are affected. Brain injuries can affect how other areas of the body are able to function. Ironically, we only use about 10% of our brain!

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Okanagan Mountain Range Ski Vacations

Okanagan is a mountain range that runs through valleys close to three mountain ranges. During the summer this is the perfect place to do some camping,  but when winter hits you will have great skiing weather and conditions. There are small resorts that are scattered throughout the area. The climate here will make for great skiing down the slopes and through the trails.

These scattered resorts are very quiet and peaceful. Lifts are available, but they are limited to specific times and dates. These resorts have great skiing around them, even though they are small. This area of mountains offers the most consistent weather conditions, and the resort offers to lodge for everyone that cares to stay - at a reasonable price. 

The mountain ranges offer different trails and skill levels, but most of all they provide you with the skiing vacation of your dreams. During the winter, temperatures in the Okanogan range often drop to zero degrees. The items you bring will need to keep you warm at all times and safe no matter which trail you may choose to ski.

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Choosing A Radio Controlled Plane

Photo: Pixabay

When you buy a radio-controlled plane for the first time, you may have some difficulty choosing the plane that will introduce you to the remote-controlled hobby. You will want something that will be fairly cheap to purchase and will give you a chance to learn how to fly remote-controlled planes before you move onto more advanced planes. If you buy the first plane that you see, you could end up having a very bad experience for your first time, and be completely turned away from the hobby. This is why it is very important to know that there are many different characteristics that you can look for. In this article, I will go over most of them. So read on to find out about what you need to look for to have the best experience possible when you fly a radio-controlled plane for the first time.

First, you need to assess your own building skills. You can buy airplane kits that require you to build the entire thing from scraps of wood, or you can buy kits that just require you to snap a few parts together. If you want to make a huge, prolonged project out of your radio controlled plane, then you can buy one that requires full assembly. However, you should always be sure that your building skills are up for it. If you don’t want to spend the time required to do this, or if you don’t have the prowess to build it, then you can buy a plane that does not require any assembly at all. You just pull it out of the box, and you’re ready to go flying for the afternoon.

Next, you will want to look for something that has stability for people without are flying for the first time. It may not seem like it, but to fly a radio-controlled plane you need at least some skill. But, if you search for the right item you can find something that is more geared towards beginners. Slow flying speed is always a benefit, just as driving slow is a good way to learn how to control a car for the first time. You will want a light plane with larger wings that can catch the wind better. This will make takeoff easier. You will also want to look for planes that have flat bottoms, and wings mounted high on the body. If you get a plane that has all of these features, your maiden flight will be as smooth as possible.

Next, you need to consider the model of the airplane you are going to buy. You can get model replicas of almost any type of plane, from the first Wright Brothers’ plane to modern military jets. If you are buying a model plane, you are probably already interested in planes, to begin with. Think of what plane you are most intrigued by when you look through plane books and see if you can find a kit that is modeled after that plane. This will give you a personal interest in the model that you are getting. When you fly it for the first time, it will be almost like being in the cockpit of the actual plane.

After you have decided on these issues when picking your plane, the rest is just up to personal preference. But if you pay close attention to these and pick your plane carefully, you will find that radio controlled flying is a great way to spend your time. It is a very rewarding hobby, and it can last you a lifetime if you choose planes that are compliant with your level of skill. After all, you don’t want to go out on your first flight and then crash your plane directly into the ground or a tree. So choose your first plane carefully, and you can avoid being immensely frustrated in the future.

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Teens in the City

Photo: Flickr

New York City offers a virtual treasure chest of fun things to do for teenagers. This age group is generally the most difficult to please and appease while vacationing. They are too old for the kid stuff and too young to appreciate some of the more 'grown-up' entertainment and of course, they don't want to look like they're having too much fun. From amusement parks to cyber cafes, from bookstores to malls and video arcades, to sporting events and sporting complexes New York City is a city that was almost made for teens to enjoy.

The trick to enjoying your New York City vacation while ensuring that your teen enjoys his or her time in the city is compromised. Agree to go watch the skateboarding in the park if he or she will suffer through a museum with you. You just might find that you each find something to enjoy about the other's activities. There are so many wonderful things to do and see in New York. You don't have to pay a lot of money in order to have a good time as many of these wonderful events are offered free or for very little cost. You can also purchase passes that allow free entrance to certain city attractions for one low fee. You will find that of the freebie offerings there is usually something that will appeal to various members of your family including your teens. 

Compromise is a good idea on any vacation with friends or family and it teaches your teens an important lesson-their opinion matters to you. They also learn to compromise, to share time and experiences, and to think critically. They are forced to weight all the things they would like to do and select the things that matter most to them to do. This is a very good thing for people to learn as early as possible and will be an invaluable lesson, as they grow older and eventually begin making their own decisions in life as well. I even try to offer the younger children a voice in what's going on. I offer age-appropriate choices and allow them to select the one that matters most to them.

Teens are often very hard to please or predict and their wants can change between the time it takes to open a pack of pop tarts and the time it takes to actually drop them in the toaster. Be aware of this when making plans with teens and go with the flow. You do not have to let your teen rule your vacation but by allowing him or her a voice in the decision-making process you might all learn some important and interesting things about each other.

Girl teens are often easily distracted by shopping-while New York City has some of the trendiest boutiques you may want to see if you can talk her into some of them any consignment or secondhand stores that abound. You can call it 'vintage clothing' if you must in order to get her in the doors but you can score some awesome deals on clothes that look barely worn if that and she'll have some nice additions to her wardrobe for a fraction of their costs if new. There are also some wonderful outlet malls in NYC as well. The trick with shopping any of these stores is to know the prices of things. Some things are excellent bargains while others are not so much. 

Teen boys will have a grand time at places such as Game Time Nation where they can play video games for endless hours. You can even try playing games together if you're brave enough. Fair warning offered here, teens are brutal in their victories and you will never live down your failures in the video game arena with them so study up beforehand. 

The most important thing to remember about vacationing with your teen is that you'd like them to have some fond memories of your time together, even during their teen years. Take care that you are including them in your plans rather than making their plans for them. It is time they are let into the decision making process to some degree even if it's allowing either or options or asking them to list a few things they'd like to do and you selecting from those. If you're having fun it is quite likely that they will eventually join in.48

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The American Quarter HORSE

Quarter Horse - (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is thought, by some, that the foundation American Quarter Horse stock has at its roots Arabian, Turk, and Barb breeds.  Others believe that the breed began with the acquisition of Chickasaw horses which were likely of Spanish extraction.  Their history seems to begin around 1690, when horses exported from England were bred with native horses in America.  The result of this cross was a small, stocky horse which was extremely fast in the quarter-mile sprint which the colonists loved to participate in during their off-time.  Even when pitted against Thoroughbreds, this little horse came in first more often than not.  Thus, the horse became known as the Quarter Horse.  

In the 1800s, when the pioneers began to move west, they wanted a horse that could endure the rigors and was always willing to work.  Their horse of choice was the Quarter Horse.  They quickly found that the breed was excellent to use when working with cattle.  Cattlemen soon preferred this animal because it seemed to know ahead of time what the cattle would do, and naturally moved to direct the herd where the cowboys wanted them to go.  Even after the automobile was invented, Quarter Horses were still used almost exclusively on many ranches.

In 1940, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) was formed.  From that year until the present, Quarter Horse breeders have worked diligently to perfect the bloodlines.  The Association has set forth strict guidelines with regard to registration of American Quarter Horses.  AQHs are allowed to have limited white markings on their faces and below their knees.  If there are white patches or spots anywhere else on the horse, it is considered to not be a true Quarter Horse.

The AQHA recognizes 13 colors as acceptable for the breed.  The most dominant color is sorrel, which is a reddish-brown.  The other colors are bay, black, brown, buckskin, dun, gray, grullo, palomino, red roan, and blue roan.  What is called a gray is what most of us perceive as white.  But, there are no "white" Quarter Horses.

There are two main body types which are acceptable for registration as Quarter Horses.  The "stock" type, which is shorter, more compact, stockier, and well-muscled, yet agile.  The "running" type is lighter and is bred and trained for sprinting.

Because this breed is very versatile, bloodlines are built with specific tasks in mind when producing the offspring.  For AQH's shown "at halter", the line is bred to have a heavier body appearance, because these horses are incredibly muscled.  For horses used as "reiners" and "cutters", the build is usually smaller and the horses possess cat-like quicker movement and powerful hindquarters.  Those bred for Western pleasure riding have a level "topline" and smoother gaits.  Those which will be used for racing have longer legs and a leaner body build and those bred as show hunters have a similar build to the runners, but their bloodlines will include traits which are suited to horses used for hunting purposes.  The whole Quarter Horse breed possesses speed, stamina, power, and an inherent willingness to please.

This horse is usually 14 to 16 hands (56 to 64 inches, or 142.24 to 162.56 centimeters) at the shoulder.  The weight can vary drastically, depending on the purpose for which the horse was bred.

The American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed in the United States.  And there are approximately 3.7 million registered American Quarter Horses worldwide, making it one of the most populous breeds in modern history.

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Dauphin Island and the History of North America’s Colonization in Miniature

Fort Gaines - Photo: Pixabay

Dauphin Island, Alabama is a barrier island at the Mouth of Mobile Bay. It is a tourist attraction, the home of around 1,200 people, the site of the Estuarium marine sciences laboratory and a164-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary. It’s a pleasant, pretty and useful place that receives most of its income from tourism. On the face of it, one could hardly guess that Dauphin Island bore the name “Massacre Island” for 8 years, or that it was occupied by every major European power in American history at one time or another.

The earliest records of human activity on Dauphin Island are the burial sites of the Native Americans known as the Mound Builders. The Serpentine shell middens on Dauphin’s northern shore suggest that this culture had been using the island for 1,000 years before the 1st Europeans arrived in the Americas, possibly occupying it on a seasonal basis, and definitely using it as sacred ground for the honored dead. 

Spain got the jump on the rest of the Old World when it came to America’s. Since we attribute the continents “discovery” to that country (even if Columbus is to be taken at his word that he was, in fact, Italian) it is only fitting that Spanish explorer Alonzo Pineda was the 1st European to map the Dauphin Island in 1519. By standards of the time, his work is considered incredibly detailed and accurate.

It wasn’t until 80 years after Pineda made his map that the next great European colonial power arrived on Dauphin’s shores. In 1699 French explorer Pierre Le Moyne, sir d’Iberville, future architect of French Louisiana, was beginning his exploration of the mouth of the Mississippi. He and his men anchored on Dauphin Island and, in a textbook European misreading of Native American culture, mistook the human remains he found there as the aftermath of some savage (or savages’) battle or atrocity. Thus the Island received the name “Massacre Island”.

Bones or no bones, d’Iberville liked what he saw. Under the French Massacre Island became a settlement, trading-post and, for a time, the capitol of the Louisiana Territory, a.k.a. 2/3rd’s of the continental United States. As such, “Massacre Island” began to seem an inappropriate name. In 1707 the island was renamed Dauphin Island in honor of the “Dauphin” of France, the title given to the prince who is the heir to the French throne. 

Later events would suggest “Massacre Island” was a more appropriate name after all. In 1711 pirates raided Dauphin Island, with all the attendant murder, rape and pillage one might expect. In 1717 a massive Hurricane very nearly leveled every structure on the island. Then, horror of horrors, the British arrived. 

For the better part of 100 years, Dauphin Island was a microcosm of colonial European conflict in the Gulf of Mexico. Great Britain took it from France. Spain took it back from Great Britain. Virtually the only players on the North American field who didn’t reclaim it was the Indians. Back and forth it went until 1813 when a still green United States acquired the entirety of Mobile Bay, Dauphin included. The British took the Island one last time, for old times sake, during the War of 1812 (or actually a few months after; communications were very slow in the early 19th century), but after that Dauphin Island has remained thoroughly Alabaman until the present. 

Dauphin has seen a great deal of American history unfold, from cultures of the 1st immigrants who came via the Bering Strait, to the earliest efforts of the conquistadors, to the western European scrum over valuable New World real estate. All in all, that’s not too shabby for a little strip of land off the edge of Alabama.

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