STARGAZERS will be able to appreciate the experience of the Three Wise Men on Christmas Day.

Amateur astronomers have the opportunity to spot the Star of Bethlehem when the planet Venus makes a spectacular appearance in the night sky.

One of the many explanations put forward for the Star of Bethlehem in the story of the nativity is that it was actually Venus.

This Christmas night, stargazers will be able to see the planet close to a thin crescent moon, just after sunset.

Martin Lunn, curator of astronomy at the Yorkshire Museum, in York, said the combination could only be seen on that night.

He said people could also see Venus before Christmas by looking towards the west on any evening.

Mr Lunn said: "Venus is the brightest object in the sky after the sun and moon, and it cannot be missed.

"If people look to the west in the area where the sun sets at about 4.30pm they will see this splendid and spectacular object."

A programme of astronomy events will run next year at the museum, which has its own observatory.

It will include lectures and observatory open evenings, and a family event called So you want to be an astronomer on February 14.