What was the Star of Bethlehem?

Night sky scene with star of Bethlehem on the right and three wise men with their camels walking beneath. The milky way stretches through the night sky in the center of the image.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Star of Bethlehem guided three Magi, or wise men, to Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. After consulting with King Herod of Judea, the men followed the star to Bethlehem, where they found the newborn baby Jesus. While the historicity of this event is difficult to verify, it raises a compelling question: What was the Star of Bethlehem?

Scholars have debated this mystery for centuries — not just from religious and historical perspectives, but scientific ones as well. Numerous theories have been proposed, ranging from astronomical phenomena to astrological interpretations.