http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGsnaJeQFCw&feature=related

The from
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/star_bethlehem_021220.html

“Another possible explanation for the Star of Bethlehem is the three-times passing of Jupiter and Saturn between May and December in 7 BC; a rare triple or “great conjunction.”

Jupiter appeared to pass one degree north of Saturn on May 29; practically the same on Sept. 30; then finally a third time on Dec. 5.

There is no doubt about the visibility of these events, mostly opposite to the Sun in nighttime skies. As for their astrological impact, the Magi would have certainly noticed that both planets did not appear to separate widely between their conjunctions. In fact, for eight consecutive months the time it might have taken to travel the 500 miles or more from Babylonia to Judea Jupiter and Saturn remained within three degrees of each other, from late April of 7 BC until early January of 6 BC.

A fist held on an outstretched arm covers about 10 degrees of sky.

But perhaps no other planetary grouping can equal that of the two brightest planets Venus and Jupiter for the explanation that we seek. And if we take the only known account of the Star literally, as given in St. Matthew, then what we really need is the appearance of not just one, but two “stars.” The first appearance would have been seen well in advance of the Magis arrival in Bethlehem, and the other at the end of their long journey.

Perhaps the signal for their star was to be a sign in the constellation of Leo, the Lion.

To the early Israelites, Leo was a constellation of great astrological significance and considered a sacred part of the sky. A very close conjunction of Venus and Jupiter would have been visible in the eastern dawn sky of the Middle East from about 3:45 to 5:20 a.m. on Aug. 12, 3 BC.

When they first emerged above the eastern horizon, the two planets were separated by only about two-fifths of the Moons apparent diameter or 12 minutes of arc. As a comparison, the separation of the stars Mizar and Alcor in the handle of the Big Dipper is also 12 minutes. Planets this close are very striking, if they don’t differ too much in brightness.

Incidentally, St. Matthew wrote that the Magi stated in their meeting with King Herod: “We have seen his Star in the East and have come to worship him.” It has never been clear if they saw the star in the eastern sky, or if they saw it from the East. The fact that the Aug. 12, 3 BC conjunction of Venus and Jupiter occurred in the eastern sky and may have also started the Magi on the journey (from the East) to Bethlehem means that both bases are covered with their statement — reported by St. Matthew — to King Herod.

Venus ultimately vanished into the glare of the Sun, but Jupiter and Leo remained in the night sky during the next ten months. During this time a number of additional planetary conjunctions took place, all of which would have been of great importance to the priest-astrologers of the time.”

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/25/the-bah-star-of-humbug-bethlehem/#comment-60789

Of course I’m not the one to discover this – I merely read about this theory. It was many years ago and I no longer know where. In any case the “now” in this article’s opener, “there’s more to talk about on the topic now”, is simply wrong. It is has been known for a long time.