Star of Bethlehem

====Supernova====
A recent (2005) hypothesis advanced by [[Frank Tipler]] is that the star of Bethlehem was a [[supernova]] or [[hypernova]] occurring in the nearby [[Andromeda Galaxy]].<ref name=tipler>{{cite journal | author=[[Frank J. Tipler]] |date=2005 | title=The Star of Bethlehem: A Type Ia/Ic Supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy?  | url=http://math.tulane.edu/~tipler/starofbethlehem.pdf  | journal=[[The Observatory (journal)|The Observatory]] | volume=125 |pages=168–74 | bibcode=2005Obs...125..168T}}</ref> Although it is difficult to detect a supernova remnant in another galaxy, or obtain an accurate date of when it occurred, supernova remnants have been detected in Andromeda.<ref>{{cite journal | title=ROSAT HRI Observations of M31 Supernova Remnants |author1=Eugene A. Magnier |author2=Francis A. Primini |author3=Saskia Prins |author4=Jan van Paradijs |author5=Walter H. G. Lewin | date=1997 | journal=The Astrophysical Journal | volume= 490 | issue=2 | pages=649–52 | doi=10.1086/304917|bibcode=1997ApJ...490..649M |s2cid=54162850 |url=https://pure.uva.nl/ws/files/1202169/2567_25290y.pdf }}</ref>

Another theory is the more likely supernova of February 23 4 BC, which is now known as [[PSR 1913+16]] or the Hulse-Taylor Pulsar. It is said to have appeared in the constellation of [[Aquila (constellation)|Aquila]], near the intersection of the winter [[colure]] and the equator of date. The nova was "recorded in China, Korea, and Palestine" (probably meaning the Biblical account).<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu//full/1978JRASC..72...65M/0000066.000.html|bibcode = 1978JRASC..72...65M|title = The Christmas Star as a Supernova in Aquila|last1 = Morehouse|first1 = A. J.|journal = Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada|year = 1978|volume = 72|page = 65}}</ref>

A nova or comet was recorded in China in 4 BC. "In the reign of Ai-ti, in the third year of the Chien-p'ing period. In the third month, day {{transliteration|zh|chi-yu}}, there was a rising {{transliteration|zh|po}} at Hoku" (Han Shu, The History of the Former Han Dynasty). The date is equivalent to April 24, 4 BC. This identifies the date when it was first observed in China. It was also recorded in Korea: "In the fifty-fourth year of Hyokkose Wang, in the spring, second month, day {{transliteration|ko|chi-yu}}, a {{transliteration|ko|po-hsing}} appeared at Hoku" (Samguk Sagi, The Historical Record of the Three Kingdoms). The Korean text may have been corrupted because Ho (1962) points out that "the {{transliteration|ko|chi-yu}} day did not fall in the second month that year but on the first month" (February 23) and on the third month (April 24). The original must have read "day {{transliteration|ko|chi-yu}}, first month" (February 23) or "day {{transliteration|ko|chi-yu}}, third month" (April 24). The latter would coincide with the date in the Chinese records although professor Ho suggests the date was "probably February 23, 4 BC."<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?bibcode=2005JRASC..99...87M&db_key=AST&page_ind=1&data_type=GIF&type=SCREEN_VIEW&classic=YES|bibcode = 2005JRASC..99...87M|title = The Star on Roman Coins|last1 = McIvor|first1 = Robert S.|journal = Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada|year = 2005|volume = 99|issue = 3|page = 87}}</ref>