For your “Neat!” file: The Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona live streamed what is being called the “Star of Bethlehem” or the “Christmas Star” as it appeared in the Arizona night sky 5 p.m. MST.

Jupiter and Saturn aligned Sunday night, an astronomical occurrence that happens once every 20 years. On Sunday, however, the conjunction was more readily visible than it has been at any time in the last 800 years. The last time the planets came so close – as observed from the Earth – was 1226.

Several people have argued that the Star of Bethlehem mentioned in Luke’s nativity narrative may have been an instance of the great conjunction, which occurred in 7 BC. 

Speaking during the live stream, Dr. Jeff Hall explained that the conjunction will continue for the next few weeks, up until New Year’s Day, one or two hours after sunset low in the southwestern sky.

The post Lowell Observatory live streams the “Great Conjunction” appeared first on Catholic Herald.