THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8970, 22 April 1890, Page 6

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

AN INTER : STING PHENOMENON,

The Daily News’ Vienna correspondent telegraphs Astronomical calculations show that wo shall witness a most interesting phenomenon in the coarse of 1890. A sixth star will be added to the five fixed stars forming the constellation of Cassiopeia. If this star appears in 1890 it will have been seen seven times since the beginning of the Christian Era. It was discovered last time by Tycho Brahe in 1572, who described it as a star of extraordinary brightness, which outshone the stars of first magnitude, and could be seen in the light of day ; but after three weeks the brightness faded, and after having been visible for 17 months, it disappeared as suddenly as it bad come. The star is on record in the annals of 1264 a. d. , and of 945 a. d., during the Emperor Otto’s reign. It has been supposed that this heavenly body is the identical Star of Bethlehem, and it seems to appear once in about 315 years. Now, if it be calculated backwards from 945 that would make its appearance coincide with the date of the birth of Christ, and when the calculation is made from 945 forward the star was due in 1260, 1575, and 1890. Dr Palisa, of the Vienna Observatory, who has been questioned on the subject, says that there are no proofs that the Tychonian Star and the star of 954 are identical. There are maav stars which return after a lapse of several years, but there is no authority for the certain return of a star not seen since 1572.