Christmas Star - Sixty Symbols

[farshad94abedi]

just to let you all know, the 3 wise men where from persia in the sassanid erra i think, and persians as you all should know, is modernday iran, so guys comeone, lets have peace, muslims and christans belive in the same god, not much to be fighting over :)

[mzyzer19]

@sixtysymbols Is it possible that gravity is both an attractive and repulsive force at the same time?

[Ounouh]

Star in the East is Sirius. Witch on Dec 24th lines with 3 stars of Orion's belt (The Three Kings) pointing in the spot of sunrise at 25th.

[lukacarroll]

i dont know if anyones mentioned this,

but saturn was jupiters father, so you could say the stars represented the "king of kings",

im not religious, but i find that quite interesting.

[yomachaser]

@kristijanadrian You think you're interesting for having a lack of respect for other peoples beliefs. How sad are you?

[weberbeat]

Why is the truth not mentioned here? The star led the magi to Brian!

[stevenrayd]

Did it ever occur to anyone how can anyone follow a fucking star?From a scientific stand why would anyone waste their time discussing a bronze age comic book like the bible .

[MarkArandjus]

Kind of a waste to be accurate around dates, when the date of Jesus' supposed birthday isn't even mentioned in the bible, innit?

[puncheex]

Hell's Bells, guys.  If Isaac Asimov could write an essay on it, then SS can do a vid. Leave off.

[kinbigbird]

Take a look at Regulas the King Star and Jupiter the King Planet at the Feet of the Lion, Jupiter Passes 3 times makeing a Crown at the feet.Look from Babylan,Iraq 3 Wise men were there at the time.The Bethlehem star stoped over Bethlehem, Jupiter stoped over Bethlehem a full Moon rose on December 25, 2 AD the night the gifts were given to the King of Kings,Would you like to know the day of Conception look at the Sun and Cresent Moon Rise at the side of Virgo the Virgin.I am in search of Truth.

[Drag0nfoxx]

Saturn does not represent time. Time is Chronos, but Saturn is named after Kronus, Zeus's father.

[vinsong]

Bible, depicting genocide, when god wants it, it's ok. How holy.

[Dutvutan]

Myths, Religions, and old stories have nothing on science. These guys do their job fine by solving and discovering. If they would find out what it was that i saw on the skies at some particular timepoint for example, why would you go all butthurt if it was connected to something as debatable as religion?

[Unlocktube]

Theologian, what a waste of time...............

[VanillaShoelace]

Incase anyone is curious, I recognized the software shown in this program is a free program called "Stellarium". It's a wonderful tool, and is opensource and completely free.

[BorisHaeussler]

Isn't it funny how people here complain that nobody should take the bible seriously (which I don't and nobody says in the video that it's meant literally, some comments below do, though) but rather as myth (which I do) without any real background (which I don't) and then cannot see the video as a fun video for christmas (which I also do!)?

LOL!

[spandaminium]

Tree of life , jacobs ladder= spinalcord, meeting of duality, rising of kundalini to elightenment.

religion = manipulation of astromomy/astrology

science = search of false truth.

and you'll find that it describes very very accurately the movment of the heavenly bodies and the interaction of humanity with itself in this enviroment.

[spandaminium]

the key to reading bible as a scientific document.

heaven the house of the lord =sky

son of god, saviour of man = the sun

GOD = tetrahedron(centre of blackhole or central shape of each cell), balance of duality, intent of love, perfect cluster. H to O

[spandaminium]

come on guys... catch up..

The 3 magi are the three stars of the orion belt that line up with the East star on christmas morning after the SUN (son of God) stays low in the sky for 3 days, and rises with the stars of Virgo (beth, le and hem) as backdrop. After Easter, the day becomes longer than the night and the Sun or Son is truely born again...lol..... so sweet.. Bible is a fairytale for who needs that but also a reference book for who wants learning.

[Arkalius80]

I think the whole star of bethlehem thing is more likely to be pious fiction than anything else, partially because of the fact that Magi and astronomical events were linked in the public mind by the visit to Rome of a delegation of magi at the time of an appearance of Halley's Comet in AD 66, around when Matthew was being composed. Ancient historian Dio Cassius wrote that, "The King did not return by the route he had followed in coming," a line echoed in Matthew's account.

[JPO1618]

Dammit! I hate it when the educated mistake Cronus (Saturn) with Chronus! Saturn/Cronus is not the god of Time! Get it right scientists, for the sake of those who don't know any better.

[gobaskof]

@JPO1618 That is a theologian getting it wrong, they do that a lot. I have no idea why the crap Brady has him talking about astrology and ancient Gods anyway. That is why we should keep them out of the science videos!

[nawitus]

The Bible is a fairy tale, it's mostly a waste of time to take it seriously.

[sixtysymbols]

@nawitus Let's assume it's a fairytale (though scientists never assume). Is it not possible the writers weaved in historical elements to lend credibility.

Scientists have a rich history of poring over historical documents, literature and even religion for information. Earthquakes, supernovae, volcanic eruptions and comets all find their way into writings of their age.

It's not hardcore science, but certainly worthy of a fun video at Christmas!?

Let's all live happily ever after!? :)

[derrynator]

@sixtysymbols thats right, you should never assume because when you assume, you make an ass out of u and me. :)

[Barthayn]

@nawitus everything that the Bible states came or are now coming true with the end time approaching. How can you say is is foolish and a waste of time to take it seriously? If something is right over and over again. You should take it very seriously.

[nawitus]

Yes, scientists ought to assume it's a fairy tale. If someone wants to prove otherwise, he can do so. But of course the Bible stories might include a few historical elements.

[Barthayn]

Science does not conflict with creationism, or intelligent design. The only thing that does the theory of evolution, which has not been proven yet and has no evidence for Darwinian evolution.

[Arkalius80]

Yeah so the fact that every (respectable) biologist treats evolution as a fact and that the entire science of biology is based on evolution... that doesn't mean anything.

We have more evidence and a greater understanding of the theory of evolution through natural selection than we do for gravity, but I'm guessing you don't really doubt the theory of gravity is accurate.

[madman123456]

@nawitus Actually, the Bible is one of the most violent fairy tales ever.

[TheValvesoftware]

@nawitus it is bot a fairy tale and it has help me do many things for other people. it is not a waste of time. GOD Bless!

[Bonnierectify]

jagenug geschaut jetzt soll jemand nettes mit mir chatten hab auch bilder !

[Annieaksamia]

huhui really need to find somebody who clicks with me!

[rabbitsib]

Christmas is BS. It's not a catholic idea. Nope, its Christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice. And Jesus was born in April but because of a pagan practice adopted by the freaken Christians there is MUCH confusion. I like the idea just hate religion.

[Lleanlleawrg]

@rabbitsib Agreed. Thumbs up :>

[sabaths1fan]

@rabbitsib I don't think its about his literal day of birth.

Its about the what it means that he was born. And what it means to our society. And our history.

[gobaskof]

Brady, I think the problem with this video was not the topic but the fact that it was almost completely taken up by the theologians.

If you made a video about seeing if there was any reality to the star of Bethlehem, people would be happy with that. But there was more religion than science today, and that is what disappointed me. 30 seconds on novae, 1 min on the actual astronomical events, 6 mins of fluff and noise.

[Jornev]

Everyone bashing this so far should probably take a crash course in rational thinking and/or perhaps anger management.

I'm not religous at all, as prolly most of the ppl participating in this vid, and no one is trying to convert anyone! They're not trying to prove anything of religous nature that the Bible says, just what might have caused a certain story to have been written!

It's a bit of christmas science fun and you're all going bananas!

[gobaskof]

@Jornev

Christmas science fun: Demonstrating physics with liquid nitrogen and the making a lot of icy snow?

Having theologians talk about astrology, maybe fun for some, but it isn't science. The question of the actual historical event is defiantly interesting, and relatively "sciencey" but that hardly got a look in over the theology.

I admit some people over reacted, but I still think it was not the topic, but the almost complete lack of science that pissed people off.

[Jornev]

This video also contains astronomers talking about backtracking the orbits of planets, shows what a planetary conjunction between two planets can look like from earth, mentions supernovae and (briefly) the historical relationship between astronomy and astrology there and then.

Nothing to get pissed off and hostile towards the featured scientists, or theologians, about I'd say. You still have your liquid nitrogen videos, don't you?

Well, that'd be all from me on this silly matter.

[gobaskof]

I admitted that there was science, just that the science was about 15% of the video. And I assume that is what annoys people. I am sure there was lots more science footage (I have been there when a couple of the videos were filmed, Brady removes a lot, and rightly so), I just think the video was weighted badly. More science, less theology is better for here. The best thing would have been to do 2 videos, on here on the science and another on bibledex for the theology.

[gobaskof]

And there hasn't been liquid nitrogen in 60 symbols as far as I can remember. (I may be wrong.)

You can demonstrate the gas law, in many fun ways. Also Nottingham have an electromagnetic cannon which fires nitrogen cooled aluminium disks. Maybe an idea for the future?

[AlexAllen1989]

Why, in a set of videos about Physics, are there this many interviews with theologians? Not only interviewing the theologians but presenting essentially presenting their views on a blog about Physics?

This video belongs as an extra in your theology set at best, I'm afraid as it appears to have mostly a philsophical message with a brief nod at the actual astronomical events.

[r022218]

no difference between astrology and astronomy?!..... like there's no difference between 'snake oil' and antibiotics!....what the hell happened to Brit education system!!

[sixtysymbols]

@r022218

He means in those times (Babylonians, etc) when the two "fields" were not as they are today!

[chrisofnottingham]

I can take this as a bit of fun but it is worth remembering that our scientific US atheist chums have to put up with a lot more flack than we do. So I guess when JC turns up here, of all places, they get a bit annoyed.

[sixtysymbols]

It's Christmas guys! We always do something a little off-beat and quirky related to current events or festivities.

I think people should chill out and take it with a grain of salt! We don't want scientists looking like zealots who can't have the occasional laugh and make a fun video, do we?

This was still YouTube last time I checked?

[postmasterw00t]

well said, people always moan about something

keep up the great work

[TaniaBaxide]

Oh dear. Really disappointed to see scientists taking superstitious desert scribbling seriously.

[fidgaf]

Accommodating imaginary friends and myths into science is something I find repugnant. Science in general is under attack by well financed and well organised groups that believe in talking snakes and other nonsense.

I like this channel and am very disappointed that it even takes one millisecond to even consider the delusional ramblings of an ancient, bronze-age, goat herders myth.

Are we going to have a discussion on which second star on the left takes Peter Pan to NeverLand in the morning?

[ASKaPHYSICIST]

I think you are majorly over reacting ... it's just a bunch of astronomers throwing ideas around. It's not like they're dedicating research grants towards this.

Besides, what's your problem with goat herders (I thought they were shepards but n/m)? If you were called up by a goat herder telling you he saw something bright in the sky, would you not investigate?

[fidgaf]

@ASKaPHYSICIST

"Peter Watts - Theologian" - Right at the very beginning.

"bunch of astronomers" you say. Well - Not quite.

I like to keep my theologians away from my physics and just about everything else if at all possible.

[portlandjosh]

I follow sixtysymbols because of the science, and this episode not only moves the discussion out of scope, but contaminates it. If I wanted a dose of religion, or speculation on the origiin of our myths, there are numerous channels to choose from which are dedicated to just that. I am disappointed, guys!

[Badgerinthenight]

@portlandjosh Don't watch it then!

[SuperFinGuy]

Btw the alignment of Sirius and Orion's belt (the three kings) point south-east, guess what, that is where the sun rises on December 25th, that is why the star and the three kings represent the birth and rise of the son (same roots as the word sun) on that day. This can seen with any cosmological simulation software and don't forget to see it live on xmas day ;)

The tradition is a celebration of the winter solstice and ancient people wondering about the skies.

[seanbrockest]

@SuperFinGuy that's the explanation I've always agreed with too.

[SuperFinGuy]

Yeah it's just the facts seanbrockest

[BorisHaeussler]

What I do wonder about that theory though is, that Sirius and orions belt ALWAYS line up the same way (as stars, they don't move), so what should be special about that very date?

[SuperFinGuy]

@BorisHaeussler The thing is that on Christmas they point to the spot where the sun rises and starts moving up north, visually marking the end of the winter solstice.

This is no 'theory', it comes straight from the ancient Egyptian calendar and mythology which is identical to the Christian mythology.

[BorisHaeussler]

Ah, interesting.

it just sounded like the lining up of Sirius and Orion belt was one of the special things you meant, but that's always there.

[SuperFinGuy]

Yeah and Sirius being the brightest star in the sky along with Orion's belt (also called the three kings).

[chrisofnottingham]

It should be pointed out that if there were any weird recorded astrological events around that time, then, after they had happened, the authors of the fictional Jesus character would have made use of them in their stories.

If I were making up a story about a young UK super hero I would have her being born in Cornwall during the 1999 total solar eclipse. Note that the truth of the eclipse does not add any veracity to my made up character.

[sixtysymbols]

@chrisofnottingham: Thank you. I think you understood the "Christmas Special" video.

There's a rich history or art and literature referencing astronomy, and astronomers often speculate on the Star of Bethlehem at Christmas. It is fun.

We make no comment on people's beliefs about Jesus.

However it seems if you post a video that has the words "Bible" or "Jesus" in it, there can be a small group whose knee jerk reaction that you have no scientific integrity. I don't agree but will take the flak!

[Jornev]

Bah, thumbed you down when I was gonna thumb you up. Sorry!

[yoshinibble123]

I LOL'D when he referred to the christmas tree's star :D

[RavnoUK]

Toooo sad jesus was born in summer..... and then they change the date to eclipse the pagan celebrations...

[seanbrockest]

@RavnoUK Ding! not many people know this, and those who do prefer it not to be told. (i think it was mid spring though, not summer)

[RavnoUK]

@seanbrockest Yep you are right.

[rjhrjh3]

The reason astronomers do this is explained at @1.09. It is a game.

[intermission101]

Why are some people commenting that this video is nonsense? Just because the "star" story was from the Bible doesn't mean that we can't investigate the possibility scientifically. Jesus, stop being such douchebags people.

[sixtysymbols]

@intermission101: That's what I think!

The nativity story is a super famous story and has an "astronomical event" in it... how could we resist it for our Christmas special!?

Anyway, I think I've made my point. Going to have a weekend now!

[grnlfe01]

this is not up to your usual standards. All the astrology and theological musing don't really seem in keeping with the other videos on this channel.

[leporidus]

I'm inclined to agree with you, grnlfe01. All this postdiction and retrodiction wonn't do much more than try to satisfy our pattern-seeking capabilities. »Oooh, it matches, so it must've been the star of Bethlehem.«

I would have much liked a short critique of Matthew's version of the New Testament gospel.

[grnlfe01]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I usually really like the videos these guys do, but we're dealing with an event that there is no real historical evidence for. Thus all this speculation seems a little pointless. Also did you get the feeling that some of the scientists and astronomers were a bit awkward talking about this?

[leporidus]

About the awkwardness: yeah, but that might just be projection, at least on my part. :-)

I'm sure these things will be talking points at my family's xmas celebrations, and being one of the few atheists, it's often awkward for me. I'll live though it, as always.

[culwin]

This is all a bunch of nonsense. It's even worse than trying to figure out where Atlantis is. There probably was no particular "star". If it was, it could be anything. It's all a wild goose chase.

[postmasterw00t]

@culwin

think again douche

they have found atlantis this week

its in the carribean

[culwin]

LOL sure they did, it's right there! durrrrrr

[postmasterw00t]

yeh nice try at sarcasm but maybe you should read the news lol, you might not like what you see

[Slug99]

Could you post a link to one of these news articles?

[culwin]

OK, I took a look at the news, and I don't see anything about President Obama meeting the Atlanteans. You must get different news than everyone else.

[postmasterw00t]

hahahaha

what a loser

[culwin]

I am indeed a loser for missing out on your special news source, which you haven't posted yet. You're a real winner.

[postmasterw00t]

how hard is to type in Caribbean and atlantis in google?

if you cant be arsed to do that then you obviously dont give a shit anyway

im not going to waste my time to appease somebody who doesnt care about anything

[Badgerinthenight]

@culwin So what?! It's a bit of fun! Chill out dude and get a sense of humour!

[culwin]

@Badgerinthenight Oh, so this is supposed to be funny? Ah, I get it now.

[92LUCAS]

The whole Jupiter-Saturn-Pisces symbolism is incredible!

[NAMLegolas]

I vote for Super Nova, Even though I have always supported the conjunction theory! :P

[bobster451]

I usually enjoy your videos.

This one is a piece of nonsense.

I did enjoy the decorating of the Xmas tree with the molecules.

Please try to stay on the topic of elements and compounds rather than speculation on fairy tales.

[Jornev]

I don't see how trying fo figure what kind of astronomical events might have influenced historical writings, and traditions widely practiced even to this day, constitutes a "specualtion on fairy tales". The conclusions of the bible regarding this event is probably nonsense but that's not what this video is about.

[culwin]

Guessing about a "star" which was vaguely mentioned in a story that could be complete myth, with no specific date within about a 10 year period thousands of years ago, is not very productive. Not everything has or requires an explanation. It's probably just a story.

[Badgerinthenight]

@bobster451 This is Sixty Symbols, about Astronomy and Physics, not Chemistry or the elements (that's PeriodicVideos). They are talking about a significant astronomical event in history that has moulded and changed our entire culture (through religion). Without this 'star' then the story could well have been very different and consequently changed the course of history. This is fairly important and Christmas based. If you don't like it, just don't watch it.

[bobster451]

@Badgerinthenight Go fuck yourself.

It is my free right to state my mind and you should just ignore my comment if you don't like it.

Your religion is stupid. Religion is stupid.

dickhead.

[Badgerinthenight]

@bobster451 Woah dude, you don't have to be so damn rude and aggressive with me. I am not religious at all, I hate religion actually. But I don't agree with what you're saying, esp the bit about the elements as that's not these vids (that's periodic videos). Bloody hell dude, have a bit of humility when you make a mistake.. and calm down dude! Lol..stop taking yourself so damn seriously! I was just making a point to, no offence intended!! I didn't say anything that deserved a response like that.

[bobster451]

@Badgerinthenight Then next time understand that I am free to make my comments and there is NOTHING holy about the stupid religion that claims to have a savior that is announced by a star.

I disagree with the point you were making.

If you re-read what you stated to me it comes off sounding righteous. ANd the idea of "just don't watch it" is counter intuitive to the concept of subscribing to video sources on YouTube. Suggesting that I just don't watch it is silliness since I subbed to the channel

[Badgerinthenight]

@bobster451 I know you are free to make your comments, but don't forget...so am I. I also have the right to make comments without being verbally abused, I wasn't abusive towards you. What do you mean by " there is NOTHING holy about the stupid religion that claims to have a savior that is announced by a star." That doesn't make any sense...plus, I never said anything was holy. I did re-read it but no matter how u took it, it's not excuse to be that rude.

[Badgerinthenight]

@bobster451 Plus, I said 'don't watch it then' because you could obviously see the title of the vid and that it was in conjunction with Bibledex, so if you're not interested in it I don't see why you would watch it and get yourself all riled up about it to then be rude to SixtySymbols about it. Telling them that this video is 'nonsense' and 'speculation on fairytales' which it is blatantly not, considering they are using astronomical and historical evidence.

[bobster451]

@Badgerinthenight I watch this channel for science.

And usually they stick to science.

Religion is stupid and NOT SCIENCE.

When they put a video out I am expecting something that is free of speculation and science based.

In this case it was not, and to tie it to religious bullshit is stupid.

I sub to this channel to enhance my knowledge, not to learn about legendary crap that has little to do with science.

[schmidtbag]

@bobster451

badgerinthenight is right, you need to calm down. this video was just a history lesson mixed with a little science to back it up. there wasn't a single time during the video when they said that chistianity is true, they're just trying to see what exactly was going on in that year. if you really can't handle something off-topic but still educational you really need to just unsubscribe, this channel doesn't need people as unproductively critical and picky as you

[bobster451]

@schmidtbag I am free to express my opinion.

GFY!

[kolrabi]

I wonder if I should point out that there is a difference between Chronos, god of time and Kronos, the god of agriculture, and that Saturn is the latter.

[tehinfidel]

@kolrabi Don't forget Qo'noS, homeworld of the Klingons.

[culwin]

kolrabi is correct.

Oops, another mistake in this video.

[SuperFinGuy]

hey I thought this was a secular channel. Mysticism and superstition obviously are anti-intellectual. Hope you're not serious about this video.

[sixtysymbols]

@SuperFinGuy:

Is the tradition of putting stars atop Christmas trees actually based on an obscure planetary conjunction which occurred in 7BC?

If that question doesn't get your juices flowing, I don't think you're my target audience! :)

[SuperFinGuy]

@sixtysymbols

Well Christian mythology like many others before it are based on the same astrological events and that is interesting yeah, but should we should put it in context.

For example, the star in the east is Sirius (brightest star in the sky) which on December 24th aligns with the three brightest stars of Orion's belt (also knows as the three kings). The Christmas like tradition dates back to 3000BC! So I am just bothered by the Christian/religious suggestion.

[NAMLegolas]

@SuperFinGuy

How can he not be serious?? This star has been one of the top stars Astronomy has been after, This star was pretty much recorded by everyone in that time.

[SuperFinGuy]

@NAMLegolas

It is still observed today at the same time of the year.

[NAMLegolas]

@SuperFinGuy

No need to be bothered by anything, When doing an investigation or report about any subject, like this one for example, its necessary to cover all of the points of view so the reader, in this case viewers, can understand perfectly what is going on. Its part of a good report and its a point of view that you are free to believe or not. Just be happy :)

[lindsaymobil22]

nice! what software did you use to view the sky at the time jesus was born?

[omgtsn]

What.

[mvszao]

@lindsaymobil22 Stellariun, I think. It's free and open source, u can download it, just search on google and the first will be the official site

[itsabomberscope]

Looks like stellarium to me. Google it. Its freeware and most excellent!

[888Xenon]

Excellent as always

[kmohammad2]

Awesome