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.
- Scenes 123–164
The mission turns back; BASH substitutes mining for deflection, Kate is silenced, Randall’s family breaks apart, and a rival mission fails.
- Scenes 165–181
Kate and Randall see the comet themselves, reconnect, and return to June’s home as the BEAD mission begins.
- Just before
- Scene 185
Officials learn the comet remains intact; Orlean and Isherwell leave the control room as staff abandon their posts.
- Scene 186
From the presidential helicopter, Orlean places a satellite-phone call as the failed mission unfolds.
- Scene 187
Orlean speaks to Randall from a helicopter and offers him and one other person a place on the escape ship; he declines.
- Scene 188
This scene
