Halley's Comet, 12 BC

Comments When 1P/Halley was first sighted in August of 12 BC, the sun was in the direction of the constellation Leo. (See diagram, above.) If the wise men considered Leo to be associated with the Lion of Judah, then that idea may have led them to conclude that a new king of the Judaeans had been born. [Added 18 Jan 2010.] Sources used in preparation of this page. Antonin Becvar, Atlas of the Heavens - Atlas Coeli, 1950.0 Robert Fritzius, Star Map in Galactic Perspective Donald K. Yeomans, Jürge Rahe, and Ruth S. Freitag, J. Roy. Astro. Soc. Canada, 80, 62 (1986) Gary, W. Kronk's Cometography, 1P/Halley Alexander Reznikov, On possible historical origins of the Nativity legends Send comments/questions to Bob Fritzius at fritzius@bellsouth.net Shade Tree Physics