NASA Planetary Scientist Proposes Comet as Scientific Explanation for the Star of Bethlehem

A fresh scientific hypothesis has emerged to explain the historical astronomical enigma known as the Star of Bethlehem, thanks to the work of a planetary scientist at NASA. This celestial event, famously documented in the Gospel of Matthew, has long puzzled astronomers. The core difficulty lies in reconciling the description of a light that appeared stationary over a fixed location, which defies explanation by normal stellar or planetary motion due to Earth's rotation. Prior theories, such as planetary conjunctions or supernova explosions, failed to adequately account for the phenomenon's apparent 'stopping in place.'

The proposed solution centers on a comet observed in ancient Chinese chronicles dating back to the Han Dynasty, specifically in 5 BC. This celestial body, referred to then as a 'Broom Star,' remained visible in the sky for over 70 days. Dr. Mark Matney, a planetary scientist from NASA's Johnson Space Center and head of the Debris Modeling Group for the Space Debris Program, published his findings in the Journal of the British Astronomical Association on December 3, 2025. Matney contends that this specific comet presents the first astronomical candidate whose observed trajectory perfectly aligns with the Gospel narrative.

A critical calculation revolves around the comet's close approach to Earth in June of 5 BC. Modeling suggests this flyby could have occurred at a distance of approximately 390,000 kilometers—a distance comparable to that of the Moon. Simulations based on the Chinese observations indicate that around 10:00 PM local time on June 7, 5 BC, the comet may have exhibited what is termed 'transitional geosynchronous motion.' During this brief period, the object's velocity nearly canceled out the rotation of the Earth, creating the distinct visual effect of the comet seeming to 'stand still' directly over Bethlehem.

Matney pointed out that such unusual motion could have been visible during daylight hours, precisely when ancient travelers, like the Magi, would typically be journeying. This would have made the comet an ideal guiding light for the wise men traveling southward from Jerusalem toward Bethlehem. The historical timeline fits neatly with scholarly estimates placing Jesus's birth around 6–5 BC, given that King Herod the Great, mentioned in connection with the event, passed away in 4 BC.

Furthermore, Chinese records, specifically found in Volume 26 of the 'Book of Han' under the 'Treatise on Astronomy,' pinpoint the comet's appearance to the second month of the second year of the Jianping era, which corresponds to the period between March 9 and April 6, 5 BC. The fact that the object remained visible for over 70 days confirms its exceptional brightness. In ancient astrology, comets were frequently interpreted as harbingers of momentous occasions, including the birth of monarchs, lending significant weight to its status as a divine sign for astrologically inclined Magi.

Dr. Matney's research marks a significant methodological leap in historical astronomy by applying contemporary computational techniques to reconstruct ancient sightings. The theory's strength lies in its ability to account for that specific, unusual detail—the apparent cessation of movement—which previous models could not resolve. Nevertheless, the analysis remains contingent upon the precise interpretation of ancient Chinese texts and the accuracy of the orbital reconstruction. In light of this, astrophysicist Christian Theis has scheduled a lecture, 'The Star of Bethlehem from an Astronomical Perspective,' for December 18, 2025, at the Mannheim Planetarium. While the candidate is compelling, the research materials stress that absolute historical verification remains elusive, as interpretation plays a key role.

Despite these caveats, Matney's work offers the first scientifically plausible explanation that addresses every facet of the Gospel description. The research also hints at a future astronomical event: the comet is anticipated to return to a position near the Sun on January 10, 2026, when Earth will be situated between the Sun and the giant planet, potentially causing a notable light effect. Ultimately, the significance of this finding rests on its contribution as a major step toward demystifying an astronomical puzzle, rather than providing definitive historical confirmation.