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Preprint . 2026
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ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
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Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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An Astronomical and Geometrical Analysis of the Star of Bethlehem Narrative (Matthew 2:1–12), in the Perspective of Kepler's Intuition

A kinematic and geometric modelling of sky–earth synchronisation
Authors: Marcel Bodor; François Bauduin;

An Astronomical and Geometrical Analysis of the Star of Bethlehem Narrative (Matthew 2:1–12), in the Perspective of Kepler's Intuition

Abstract

Preliminary noteThis manuscript constitutes the reference English version of a scientific preprint.Translated versions in French and Spanish may be made available subsequently.The English version shall be regarded as the authoritative version for academic citation. Abstract This paper presents an interdisciplinary analysis of the Star of Bethlehem narrative as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matt. 2:1–12), examining Johannes Kepler’s hypothesis that the phenomenon may correspond to the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 BCE. The methodology is strictly rational and is based on a systematic confrontation between the ancient text and verifiable astronomical data, including planetary ephemerides, the geometry of the sky as observed from Judea, geographical constraints associated with the journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, and the historical chronology of the reign of Herod the Great. Each statement in Matthew’s account is treated as an independent constraint that must be simultaneously satisfied; failure of any single constraint would invalidate the model. The analysis shows that the Jupiter–Saturn conjunction of 7 BCE, remarkable for its triple occurrence and extended duration, exhibits an apparent motion compatible with the biblical descriptions of the star’s movement and stopping, including a well-defined planetary station, without invoking supernatural explanations. When realistic constraints on travel speed are introduced, a very narrow temporal window emerges. For a central and well-documented value of 6 km h⁻¹, the model uniquely selects 25 December 7 BCE. A finer analysis based on the same ephemerides further reveals an unexpected coherence at the hourly scale, with the timing of first visibility and meridian transit matching the duration of the terrestrial journey. This study does not aim to establish a historical event nor to support a religious belief. It demonstrates, rather, that Matthew’s narrative is astronomically, geometrically, and mathematically coherent, and cannot be dismissed as scientifically incompatible on purely rational grounds. Keywords:Star of Bethlehem; Great conjunction (Jupiter–Saturn); planetary station; historical astronomy; astronomical ephemerides; kinematic modeling Supplementary material includes an Excel table detailing the astronomical ephemerides and kinematic computations used in the analysis. This version includes equivalent English, French, and Spanish versions of the same work.No scientific content has been modified.

Keywords

historical astronomy, Star of Bethlehem, kinematic modeling, Great conjunction, Kepler, planetary station, astronomical ephemerides, Jupiter Saturn, Matthew

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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