As for whether there was a brilliant new star in the sky on the first Christmas Day, when Jesus was born... you don't want to hear my opinion about it. But I just thought that this image, posted on Christmas Day, 2007, was so wonderfully appropriate for the day. Notice how we are in the desert, which is certainly reminiscent of parts of Palestine close to where Jesus was born. The desert air is crisp and clear, with an absolutely stunning starscape over a stark landscape. The starlight is so brilliant that it faintly lights up the barren ground, causing protruding objects to cast shadows. Planet Mars shines brilliantly in the sky, resembling a new star that just
might have shone over Jesus 2,000 years ago.
I just thought you might enjoy this image. I certainly did.
Astronomy Picture of Christmas Day, 2007 Ann
