As a (rank) astro buff, I’ve always been intrigued with this quest, and have read many plausible natural explanations for the “Christmas Star.” Actually, from around 8 BC through 1 BC there were quite a few significant conjunctions in some key constellations that could be interpreted as ‘the’ event.
From the Biblical texts re: the visit of the Magi and slaughter of the Holy Innocents up to 2 years of age that followed, the appearance would have had to happen a year or two before Herod the Great died (~1 BC?). Also, the article again erroneously implies that the Wise Men were at the stable shortly after Jesus’ birth, when it was written that they visited the Christ CHILD in a HOUSE (i.e. months later).