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 196
The comet enters Earth’s atmosphere and strikes as people, animals, and ordinary moments are intercut in shock.
- Scene 197
The Mindy family eats dessert and jokes about store-bought pie as the house begins to shake.
- Scene 198
The comet tears across the sky like fabric.
- Scene 199
This scene
