# The Brightest Star Is a Planet — April 26, 2026

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/space-news-and-weather-today-auroras-rocket-launches-night-sky-viewing-6693379/the-brightest-star-is-a-planet-april-26-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/space-news-and-weather-today-auroras-rocket-launches-night-sky-viewing-6693379/the-brightest-star-is-a-planet-april-26-2026.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: 2026-04-26T07:03:20+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-brightest-star-is-a-planet-april-26-2026--71650107
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71650107/space_report_20260426.mp3
Processing state: processed
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/space-news-and-weather-today-auroras-rocket-launches-night-sky-viewing-6693379/episodes/the-brightest-star-is-a-planet-april-26-2026
Duration seconds: 119

## Resource

A guide to the current night sky and solar activity, highlighting upcoming asteroid flybys and planetary visibility. Learn where to look for Venus, Mercury, and potential aurora borealis displays.

## Highlights
- Main idea: The evening sky is dominated by a brilliant Venus in the West, with Mercury visible just below it
- Practical takeaway: Look north in high latitudes for potential auroras due to increased sunspot activity
- Observation tip: Asteroid 2026 HZ3 will pass Earth in five days at approximately three times the Moon's distance
- Environmental note: Extreme tidal shifts are expected this week due to the combined gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon
- Failure mode: A bright full moon may obscure dimmer stars, making planetary viewing the primary focus

## Topics

Astronomy, Planetary Science, Asteroids, Solar Activity, Aurora Borealis, International Space Station, Stargazing, Tides

## Chapters
- 0:30 — Life on the ISS: An update on the twelve crew members currently orbiting Earth aboard the International Space Station.
- 1:00 — Planetary Viewing Guide: How to locate Venus and Mercury in the evening sky despite the brightness of the full moon.
- 1:10 — Asteroid 2026 HZ3: Details on the upcoming close approach of a near-Earth asteroid.
- 1:30 — Solar Activity and Auroras: An analysis of sunspot groups and the probability of seeing the Northern Lights.
- 1:40 — Tidal Extremes: The impact of solar and lunar alignment on coastal water levels.

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## Transcript

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