Was it a bird? Was it a plane? A comet? A star? A supernova? Or the spirit of little baby Jesus falling from grace, down into a smelly shed in downtown Bethlehem? Only God knows, but in his book Astronomia Nova, our hero “in-the-know Jo” had a couple of things to say about the bright light that appeared in the sky just in time to guide the magi to the location of the latest chosen one.

Because those cheeky gas giants (and former gods) of the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, are in great conjunction this Christmas time, lots has been said about Kepler’s explanation about what caused such a rare astronomical phenomenon.

Here we take a look at some of the videos created by those that claim to know what Kepler didn’t know. We may also come to appreciate our great fortune in being alive to behold this great conjunction and how our genius astronomer was born 400 years too late/early to enjoy the full glory of this heavenly miracle/spectacle. Lucky us.

Supernova? Star? Planets? Or something a bit more special? Place your bets now!