# Made of the Same Stuff as Stars — April 20, 2026

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/space-news-and-weather-today-auroras-rocket-launches-night-sky-viewing-6693379/made-of-the-same-stuff-as-stars-april-20-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/space-news-and-weather-today-auroras-rocket-launches-night-sky-viewing-6693379/made-of-the-same-stuff-as-stars-april-20-2026.md
Podcast: [Space News and Weather Today – Auroras, Rocket Launches & Night Sky Viewing](https://stenobird.com/podcast/space-news-and-weather-today-auroras-rocket-launches-night-sky-viewing-6693379)
Published: 2026-04-20T07:03:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/made-of-the-same-stuff-as-stars-april-20-2026--71483450
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71483450/space_report_20260420.mp3
Processing state: processed
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/space-news-and-weather-today-auroras-rocket-launches-night-sky-viewing-6693379/episodes/made-of-the-same-stuff-as-stars-april-20-2026
Duration seconds: 123

## Resource

A rare triple conjunction of Saturn, Mercury, and Mars offers a prime viewing opportunity before dawn. The episode also covers NASA's SLS rocket assembly progress and upcoming SpaceX launches.

## Highlights
- Main idea: A triple conjunction of Saturn, Mercury, and Mars is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise
- Practical takeaway: Set an alarm for 30 minutes before dawn to view the planets low on the horizon
- Mission update: NASA is moving the largest section of the Space Launch System (SLS) for the Artemis II mission
- Launch alert: SpaceX is scheduled to launch a GPS navigation satellite via Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral
- Space weather: Increased solar activity and sunspot groups may lead to moderate aurora opportunities in northern latitudes

## Topics

Astronomy, NASA, SpaceX, Artemis Program, Planetary Conjunction, Space Weather, Solar Flares, Satellite Launch

## Chapters
- 0:20 — Triple Planetary Conjunction: Details on viewing Saturn, Mercury, and Mars in the eastern sky before sunrise.
- 0:30 — NASA SLS Assembly: Updates on the movement of the Space Launch System core stage at the Michoud Assembly Facility.
- 1:10 — SpaceX and Asteroid Alerts: Upcoming Falcon 9 GPS launch and information on weekly asteroid flybys.
- 1:40 — Solar Activity and Aurora Forecast: Analysis of sunspot groups, potential solar flares, and aurora borealis chances.
- 2:00 — Stargazing Conditions: Using the first quarter Moon to balance moonlight and dark skies for night sky observation.

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## Transcript

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