a little research for ya

very interesting stuff and worth the read

gives insight to what "Magi" were and identifying stars vs comets etc

http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1991QJRAS..32..389H

(click on the page of the article for viewing)

Title: The Star of Bethlehem a Comet in 5-BC and the Date of the Birth of Christ

Authors: Humphreys, C. J.

Journal: Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 32, NO.4/DEC, P.389, 1991