"THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM."

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1284, 15 August 1883, Page 2

"THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM."

_ _* !____ .^.: -. The American papers are discussing the expected re-appearahce of this star, which will be seen in the constellation Cassiopeia about August, 1887. It is said to be tlie same star that appeared at the birth of Christ, and only appears once in 812 yearß, the last occasion being inthe year 1572, when it was described by Tycho Brahe. lam not aware that he described it as haviug auv connection with the one said to have been seen at the birth of Christ, but merely as a new star. On the night of November 11, 1572, his attention was drawn to a brilliant and unknown star in the constellation Cassiopeia, which filled him with so much astonishment that he could scarcely believe his own eyes. To convince himself there was no illusion he put the question to other persons, if they saw the star that had so suddenly appeared. The star received the name of the Pilgrim, but it has also been called the Star of Bethlehem. It is said to have outshone all the stars in the sky, inclnding Jupiter, which was then at its brightest. It continued to shine during thfi rest of the month with a lustre so great as to be visible to some persons in the day-time. It was at first of a bright white, afterwards a reddish yellow, and lastly of a 1 iaden white like Saturn. Its lustre began to diminish, and it grew fainter and fainter until it became invisible March, 1574. It is not to be supposed that the astrologers would allow so extraordinary a phenomenon to pass unnoticed, and therefore, according tothese seers, it will appear in August, 1887, accompanied by solar and: lunar eclipses, together with the baleful influence that follows the position that Mars and Saturn will occupy— wiil oause a universal war, and portentious floods and fearful shipwrecks. North America will be involved in civil strife, ufcd a reign of terror will prevail iv tihe United States unless a Napoleon ariseß to quell it There will be a war of classes — tide rich will array themselves against the poor, and vice versa everywhere. lam not aware there are any records to show that this star appeared in 312 or 627 or 942 or 1257 effect; otherwise astronomers might account for its periodic flashes into brightness on the theory illustrated in the case of tho star Mira, or that of T. corona, to which attention was called in 1806. Well, four years will soon pass over : and should it make its appearance at the end of that time, there will be. some reason for believing that it is the star that suddenly flashed into such wonderful brilliancy at the birth of Christ. — Hard wick's Science Gossip.