The Christmas Star with Joe Rao

Virtual, Wednesday, November 29th, 6 PM – 7 PM

Join us for a very popular program dealing with 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 PowerPoint 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.

This is a shared program with Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Somers Library and Bedford Hills Free Library.
Please register on our online calendar.
Our programs are supported by the Friends of the Somers Library through our patrons’ generous contributions.
The Somers Library ~ (914) 232-5717 ~ www.somerslibrary.org