With the holiday season comes many familiar stories, including that of the
鈥楥hristmas Star鈥�, which shone over the little town of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Could this famous star have really existed?
Astronomers have been observing and recording the night sky for thousands of years, and can aid in learning about ancient historical events.
鈥淎s our understanding of the timing and repeatability of astronomical events has grown we can 鈥榳ind the clock鈥� backwards and date these historical events with reference to our current calendar,鈥� explains Quinn Smith, a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Mr. Smith will be giving a public presentation entitled 鈥淭he Christmas Star - Fact or Fiction?鈥� this Thursday Dec. 15 at the Halifax Planetarium in H漫画's Dunn Building.
A holiday detective story
鈥淚 am going to use the 鈥楥hristmas Star鈥� story to attempt to date the birth of Jesus by identifying what astronomical events could have constituted this star,鈥� says Mr. Smith, who compares researching the 鈥楥hristmas Star鈥� to a 鈥済ood detective story.鈥�
He read books and articles on the subject, as well as used special software programs to reconstruct some of the astronomical events he was examining. Although he did come across many interesting ideas, Mr. Smith struggled to find consensus among scientists who had studied the subject. 鈥淭his suited me just fine as I wanted to put my own ideas forward,鈥� he admits.
鈥淲hat I enjoy most about giving this show,鈥� he continues, 鈥渋s that I get to use many of the features of the planetarium, explain some great astronomy, and hopefully give the audience a clearer understanding of the wonders of the night sky.鈥�
A public-focused planetarium
Located in the Dunn building, H漫画鈥檚 planetarium is used not only by university classes but also school and community groups. Additionally, it runs regular public events, including Mr. Smith鈥檚 upcoming holiday presentation.
In this modern age of disposable technology, it is impressive to learn that the planetarium鈥檚 star-projector equipment is still the original set purchased by the Museum of Natural History (then the Nova Scotia Museum of Science) in 1955. The planetarium came to H漫画 in 1979, in part due to the efforts of faculty in the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science who realized the museum had stored the equipment after its move to Sumner street.
Stephen Payne, Dal physics instructor, organizes all the planetarium events, which he says are designed to be accessible to the untrained stargazer. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need prior knowledge,鈥� assures Dr. Payne. 鈥淭he point of the planetarium is to educate.鈥�
So if you want to glimpse the night sky untainted by the lights of the city, why not take a trip to the planetarium?
鈥淣obody leaves disappointed!鈥� says Dr. Payne.
鈥楥hristmas Star - Fact or Fiction?鈥� presented by Quinn Smith
Thursday December 15, 7:15 and 8:45 pm
Halifax Planetarium, Dunn 118, H漫画 University
To reserve a seat, please e-mail planetarium@dal.ca