This photo at dawn Saturday in Baguio City shows the so-called Star of Bethlehem (circled)—actually the planets Jupiter and Saturn close to alignment, a phenomenon that astronomers say last happened on March 4, 1226 or nearly 800 years ago. The symbolic ‘Christmas Star’ will be visible from December 16 to 21, and can be observed anywhere in the world, although in better conditions in areas near the equator. The phenomenon can be seen one hour after sunset.
