Skeptic: Promoting Science and Critical Thinking

The Christmas Star: Science and Religion in the Modern Age

Astronomer John Mosley of the Griffith Observatory reviews all the different theories that have been presented to explain the so-called Christmas star, including a comet, asteroid, nova and supernova, conjunction of planets, and the like. Mosley also discusses the opposition he has encountered from both sides of the religion and non-religious spectrum to the presentation of his popular annual planetary show, a stable of many planetariums around the world at Christmas time. He also critiques the media for their role in the propagation of pseudoscience, and discusses how and why scientists should be more involved in the public presentation of science.