Archive Home Page Been a while since I posted here in the Astronomy forum :) As far as I know (and correct me if I'm wrong) there is no objective astronomical evidence of a Star of Bethlehem. Now of course it's possible that it might have been a comet long since gone and there may be several other plausible explanations, however I think whether or not there was ever a physical phenomenon associated with the Star of Bethlehem is missing the point.
The Star of Bethlehem first and foremost is a mythological, and in this specific case, a religious symbol. In this case a symbol of hope and birth. Eternal symbols emminating from an inner dimension of experience do not require an existance in space and time.
Though Christianity has tied this universal symbol to a specific historical record, the symbol itself, like that of the virgin birth (which exists independently in many mythologies), transcends any particular religion. Because of this is entirely possible that it's larger meaning is still awaiting discovery and that the symbols speak to our future, and not our past.
Just a different perspective...