University of Notre Dame astrophysicist Grant Mathews will give three presentations of his popular program titled “What and When was the Christmas Star?” in the Digital Visualization Theater of Notre Dame’s Jordan Hall of Science.
The programs, which are free and open to the public, will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 (Friday), 3 p.m. Dec. 6 (Saturday) and 3 p.m. Dec. 7 (Sunday).
The Gospel of Matthew records a peculiar astronomical event that occurred at the birth of Christ. Mathews has applied the tools of modern astrophysics to the search for evidence of this event. His program will examine whether the “Christmas Star” was a nova, a supernova or a planet alignment and discuss the possible identity of the “wise men from the East.” He will describe recent evidence that points toward new answers to the nature and time of appearance of this special event.
The public programs will be followed by a special video presentation of “A Season of Lights.”
The program is sponsored by Notre Dame’s Department of Physics and Center for Astrophysics.
Contact: Susan Baxmeyer, 574-631-6386, baxmeyer.1@nd.edu