After PhD candidate Kate Dibiasky discovers a comet on a direct collision course with Earth, she and Professor Randall Mindy try to persuade a politically distracted President, a media-saturated public, and a powerful technology company to stop it before impact.
- Scenes 1–7
Kate and Randall work within the familiar routine of astronomy and university research.
- Scenes 8–26
They discover the impact deadline and need the government and public to respond, but Orlean refuses immediate action.
- Scenes 27–60
Kate and Oglethorpe take the warning outside official channels, entering the press and television world to reach the public.
- Scenes 61–72
The scientists navigate conspiracy claims, arrest, and political reversal as Orlean finally announces a deflection mission.
- Scenes 73–122
Their warning appears to win official action and a national launch, though Randall’s celebrity role and BASH’s access undermine the effort.
- Scene 123
The shuttles turn back toward Earth, revealing that the administration has halted its announced defense.
- Just before
- Scene 133
Randall argues the plan’s wealth could solve social problems until Kate exposes the restaurant to the public with the truth about BASH’s profit motive.
- Scene 134
After a riot at the restaurant, Kate is taken away; Oglethorpe tells Randall he still has a choice to do good.
- Scene 135
At an air force base, Kate signs an agreement to stop public appearances and statements about the comet and BASH.
- Scene 136
This scene
