If you want to see a planetary "star in the east right" now, look to the east at sunrise. That bright star in the sky is the planet Venus on a very close approach to the earth. For a while it was so close I was pretty sure I could see a disk (which looked more like a crescent with binoculars). I don't know what it's current astrological significance is, but I'm sure there's something.
For my own view about Matthew's star, see here. For the earliest surviving reference, after the Gospel of Matthew, to the Star of Bethlehem (in a letter by Ignatius of Antioch), see here. Another early mention is in the Revelation of the Magi, on which more here and links. And for many other past posts on the Star of Bethlehem, start here and follow the links.
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