2020 年 12 月 21 日，木星和土星将在夜空中穿越路径。这与伯利恒之星有同样的现象吗？
【原文】
This article about the Star of Bethlehem is republished here with permission from The Conversation. This content is shared here because the topic may interest Snopes readers; it does not, however, represent the work of Snopes fact-checkers or editors.
On Dec. 21, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will cross paths in the night’s sky and for a brief moment, they will appear to shine together as one body. While planetary conjunctions like this are not everyday events, they also are not particularly rare.
This year’s conjunction is different for at least two reasons. The first is the degree to which the two planets will be aligned. Experts predict that they will appear closer during this conjunction than they have in nearly eight centuries and also brighter.
Put another way, I argue that Matthew’s goal in telling this story is more theological than it is historical.
The upcoming conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn is therefore likely not a return of the Star of Bethlehem, but Matthew would likely be pleased with the awe it inspires in those who anticipate it.
(Check out our collection of other holiday legends.)
Eric M. Vanden Eykel, Associate Professor of Religion, Ferrum College
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.