WeWow on the Weekend

Summary

Wow in the World: WeWow on the Weekend

Date: May 30, 2026
Hosts: Dennis (lead), Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz, Reggie the pigeon, Goldie Bob the goldfish
Theme: Behind-the-scenes fun, fan questions, and a relisten of “My Asteroid is Blowing Up!”—exploring how scientists and NASA plan (or don’t!) to protect Earth from incoming asteroids.

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Episode Overview

This episode of WeWow on the Weekend brings together humor, listener interaction, and an educational relisten to a standout Wow in the World science story. Dennis hosts, opening up fan mail and reviews before leading listeners through creative segments—culminating in a relisten of a “space spectacular” about defending Earth from asteroids.

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Key Discussion Points & Highlights

[02:34] Dennis’ Welcome & Show Format

• Dennis, hosting with Reggie the pigeon, introduces the episode, promising “chit chat and answering questions from our fans and listening to Tinkercast podcasts.”
• Goldie Bob the goldfish is building what they think is a submarine, but it turns out to be a flying craft (“the opposite of a submarine”)—a wacky, imaginative moment.

Memorable Quote

“Yeah, it’s not a submarine. It’s like the opposite of a submarine. What do you call a submarine that goes in the air instead of the water?”
— Dennis (03:56)

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[04:13] Listener Reviews & Interaction

• Dennis reads aloud fan-submitted reviews, ranging from video game ratings to deep questions about why the sky is blue.
• Dennis and Reggie use humor and playful logic to address each, bringing both fun and kid-friendly science engagement.

Notable Quotes

“I rate all the video games in the whole world four and a half stars because, Reggie, there’s this one level on Feral Monkey Throw that I can’t beat. It’s too hard. Get good.”
— Dennis (05:11)

“The answer to why the sky is blue is nobody knows. It’s a scientific mystery. Okay, okay, okay. It’s not a scientific mystery. I just don’t know the answer.”
— Dennis (06:02)

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[07:17] Truth or Dare & Segment Introduction

• Dennis cleverly avoids playing truth or dare and instead introduces the “Inside Tinkercast Studios” segment—a relisten to the episode “My Asteroid is Blowing Up!” from Wow in the World.
• He dons a bike helmet, ready for “whatever asteroid explodey blow ups come our way.”

Quote

“Maybe I should put on my bike helmet just in case...now we’re ready for whatever asteroid explodey blow ups come our way.”
— Dennis (07:28)

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“My Asteroid is Blowing Up!” Relisten & Breakdown

[08:57] Entering the Original Episode

Musical Parody Introduction ([09:53])

• Mindy, Guy Raz, and Reggie are at “Armageddon: The Musical.” There’s energy, laughter, and spectacle, with an imagined musical about an asteroid threatening Earth.
• Mindy, with snacks in tow, interrupts the theater-going audience, and there’s a lighthearted exchange about who’s playing the role of “dynamite.”

Science Behind Planetary Defense ([12:17])

• Guy Raz points out the program mentions NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office.
  • They track asteroids within 30 million miles of Earth and would lead a deflection team if needed.
• Discussion begins on the real science of defending Earth: Exploding an asteroid isn’t as effective as Hollywood makes it seem.

Notable Science Explain Moments ([13:07])

“Asteroids are those big old hunks of rock floating way out there in space, right?”
— Mindy

“If it should ever come to it, [Planetary Defense] would lead a team of astronauts to help steer any incoming asteroids away from Earth.”
— Guy Raz

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[13:52] Why Blowing Up Asteroids Doesn’t Work

• Mindy introduces a scientific study by Charles L. Muir from Johns Hopkins:
  • Blowing up an asteroid is “about as pointless as a pigeon in pajamas.”
• Instead, she proposes a live demonstration—taking everyone to the asteroid belt via the time-traveling Wow Machine.

[16:04] The Simulation Experiment

• The Wow crew “nudges” an asteroid toward Earth and discusses NASA’s real plans for deflection.
• Mindy explains that researchers simulated slamming a spacecraft into a large asteroid—and most of the time, the asteroid pieces reassemble due to gravity.

Gravity and Asteroid Reassembly ([24:10])

“It’s as though the core of the asteroid is sucking in all of the smaller pieces that just got smashed off of it...like Humpty Dumpty putting himself back together again...because of the gravitational pull.”
— Mindy

• Even if a spacecraft shatters an asteroid, the pieces often “pull themselves back together” if the core is massive enough. The asteroid can re-form due to gravity.

More Effective Plan: Gravitational Tractor Beam ([26:09])

• NASA considers using a large spacecraft to change an asteroid’s trajectory through gravitational pull (a “tractor beam” effect).
• The Wow Machine, expanded by the “expando pump,” is used to tug the asteroid away from Earth’s path.

Quote

“If we keep expanding the wow Machine, we might be able to make it big enough for its gravitational field to pull this asteroid out of the way of Earth.”
— Guy Raz (27:26)

• The plan works; the asteroid drifts off-course, and the world is saved.

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[30:10] The Big Finish: Theater Return

• The team “returns” the Wow Machine to the theater, landing it onstage during the final musical number—everyone assumes it’s part of the show!
• Mindy: “Just smile and wave. Thank you. Thank you... You’re too kind, too much.”

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[30:55] Wrap-Up & Fan Community

• Dennis is appalled that Reggie didn’t take him to see the musical, then is distracted as Goldie Bob reappears from her own adventure.
• Dennis encourages listeners to call in with questions: “If you have a question for me, call and leave a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW.”
• He closes with the whimsical “goodbye song,” emphasizing community and ongoing curiosity.

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[32:53] Gratitude & Listener Shoutouts

• Guy Raz and Mindy thank the listener “families powering the WOW this year,” naming dozens of kids and families from across North America.

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Key Takeaways & Science Insights

• Blowing Up Asteroids: Hollywood’s “explosive” solutions to incoming asteroids don’t work as expected; many asteroids simply reassemble due to their gravitational pull.
• Planetary Defense: NASA actually uses a combination of tracking and physical interventions—one of the most promising is using gravity (“gravity tractor”) to nudge asteroids out of Earth’s way.
• Core Message: Science is better than science fiction—real solutions are creative, collaborative, and sometimes surprising!

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “What do you call a submarine that goes in the air instead of the water?” — Dennis [03:56]
• “The answer to why the sky is blue is nobody knows. It’s a scientific mystery...okay, okay, okay. It’s not a scientific mystery. I just don’t know the answer.” — Dennis [06:02]
• “If this simulation is anything to go by...the gravitational pull gave the asteroids the ability to pull themselves back together again when they were smashed...” — Mindy [24:10]
• “If we keep expanding the wow Machine, we might be able to make it big enough for its gravitational field to pull this asteroid out of the way of Earth.” — Guy Raz [27:26]

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Overall Tone and Experience

• Lighthearted, imaginative, and packed with humor—yet rigorously accurate in its science.
• Hosts speak with warmth, occasional improvisation, and a “cartoon for the ear” storytelling style that brings science to life for kids.
• The episode serves as both a fun weekend experience and a genuinely informative exploration of planetary defense, while valuing listener participation and community.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:34] – Main show begins, Goldie Bob’s adventure
• [04:13] – Listener reviews: video games and blue skies
• [07:17] – Truth or Dare & Segment intro
• [08:57] – Wow in the World relisten: “My Asteroid is Blowing Up!”
• [12:17] – Planetary Defense and NASA’s real work
• [13:52] – Why smashing asteroids rarely works
• [16:04] – The scientific simulation (Johns Hopkins study)
• [24:10] – Gravity and asteroid reassembly
• [26:09] – NASA’s gravity tractor plan
• [30:10] – Theatre return, musical ending
• [30:55] – Dennis’ wrap-up, call-in prompts
• [32:53] – Listener gratitude and shoutouts

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For the Inquisitive Listener

Whether you’re tuning in for laughs, science facts, or the creative voices of Dennis, Mindy, Guy Raz, and their animal friends, this episode delivers a WOW—making you think, giggle, and marvel at the universe’s mysteries.

Transcript

[Mindy]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, do you want to play along with the new season of two what's in a people who wow edition right from home? Well, just ask Alexa. That's right, Reg. Alexa actually knows who we are. Seriously, just ask Alexa. Alexa, play me a two what's in a wow episode from the wow in the world podcast on Amazon Music. And Alexa will bring our next guest right to your own gingerbread mansion. Well, no, Reg, not literally. I just mean that Alexa brings the episode right to your earballs. Anyhoo, so the next time you're ready to play our getting to know you game show, give it a try. And now a quick ad break, and then we'll get on with the show. Who's that walking through the woods? Wyatt Yahoo. Here to explore a world of curious creatures with you. Discovered a creature you haven't seen before. Why don't you get Yoshi to see what it tastes like? Hmm, soapy. No wonder this creature blows giant bubbles so big they can carry you. You can even jump from one bubble to another and reach new areas. There are plenty more surprises to discover, too. Bowser Jr. What are you doing out here? Jump into adventure with Yoshi and the mysterious book. Available now only on Nintendo Switch 2. Game rated E for everyone.

[Guy Raz]

What exactly do you learn at a school for royal magic? Sophia?

[Mindy]

I can't wait to find out. Join. Sophia. Welcome to Charmswell.

[Dennis]

Don't just stand there. We've got spells to learn.

[Mindy]

In her most magical adventure ever, my emulate's giving me new powers. Blue Maggo. It's a good thing I met a school for royal magic. Sophia. The first royal magic, now available on Disney Junior Disney. Learn more at disneyplus.com what's on we

[Dennis]

wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Talking, laughing. Me and Reggie. Singing, laughing. And then we. Oh, wait, no, I said laughing twice. Whatever.

[Mindy]

Wee.

[Dennis]

Wow on the weekend. Yeah, we wow on the weekend.

[Mindy]

Clap, clap.

[Dennis]

We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to We Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis, and that's Reggie the giant pigeon. This is the show where we chit chat and answer questions from our fans and listen to Tinkercast podcasts. What? What's wrong, Reggie? Noise. What noise? Oh, that noise. I think goldiebab the goldfish is building something. Oh, I'm not sure what she's building. I just came down here this morning, and she was hard at work. She's so industrious. Ooh, looks like she's finishing up. Okay, let's see what you built, Goldie Bob. It looks like submarine, Goldie Bob. What do you need a submarine for? You can already breathe underwater. Oh, she's going inside. She's starting the propellers. She's flying around the basement. Go, Goldiebug, go. Yeah, it's not a submarine. It's like the opposite of a submarine. Yeah, what do you call a submarine that goes in the air instead of the water?

[Mindy]

Ah, Goldie Bob.

[Dennis]

Careful. Wow, look at her go. There she goes up the stairs and. And she crashed right through the door. Yeah, I guess she's going on an adventure. Good luck out there, Goldie Bob. See you when you get back. Well, okay. Huh? Um, let's read some reviewsies. Ahem, ahem, ahem. I'm reading reviewsies for me and for yousies. We've got us some doozies, so let's read reviews. This is the part where people write us comments on Apple podcasts or Spotify or whatever, and I print a bunch out and I read them aloud. This first reviewsy comes to us from username robot emoji, Laughing cat emoji. Crying cat emoji, Bang emoji, Star emoji. The subject says, new segment idea. The message says, dennis, I think that you need to do a segment on rating video games. Oh, that's a great idea. Robot, laughing cat, crying cat, bang star. Let's do it right now. Ahem.

[Guy Raz]

Rating video.

[Dennis]

Rating video. Me, me, me, me. Rating video games. On this segment called rating video games, we'll be rating all the video games in the whole world. Okay, Reggie, let's start with you. How would you rate all the video games in the whole world? Oh, wow. Reggie rates all the video games in the whole world. Five stars. Yeah, you're really good at video games. Okay, now me, I rate all the video games in the whole world. Four and a half stars. Because, Reggie, there's this one level on feral monkey throw that I can't beat. It's too hard. Get good. Oh, that's rich. And that concludes our segment on rating video games. Next reviewsy. This next reviewzi comes to us from username ledismad. The subject says, dennis and Reggie, and the message says, hi, guys. Why is the sky blue? Why am I not blue? Anyway, my name is Alma. Why is the sky blue? And why is Alma not blue? Great questions, Alma. The answer to why the sky is blue is nobody knows. It's a scientific mystery. Okay, okay, okay. It's not a scientific mystery. I just don't know the answer. But the more important question is, why is Alma not blue? Well, Alma, I'm gonna assume you're a human person and not something like a blue poison dart frog. Ah, you're right, Reggie. I shouldn't assume someone's species. Maybe Alma is a blue poison dart frog. Alma, if you're a blue poison dart frog and you're not blue, you should probably go to the frog doctor because you're supposed to be blue. And if you aren't a blue poison dart frog, then it's probably fine that you're not blue. Because human people usually aren't blue unless they're wearing face paint. Hope that helps. Next reviewsy this last reviewzi comes to us from username Oyo Yoyo Yoyo. And the title says. Hi, Dennis.

[Mindy]

Hi.

[Dennis]

Oh, yo, yo, yo, yo yo. And the message says, Dennis, truth or dare. Ooh, a game of truth or dare. Reggie, which one should I pick? Well, if I pick truth, then I might have to tell my most secretest secret. But if I pick dare, I might have to do something super embarrassing or gross. I can't decide, Reggie. I can't decide. Okay, deep breath. I choose. I choose. I choose to move on to the next segment. Nuh uh. It's not cheating. Ahem. Okay, next up is a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Ahem. Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we revisit an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast shows. And today we're listening to wow in the World, Season 3, Episode 16 called My Asteroid is Blowing Up. Yeah, sounds like this is a space episode. And also an exploding episode. Maybe I should put on my bike helmet just in case. Just hold on one second. Here. There it is. And there. All set. Oh, and here's one for you too, Reggie. Okay, now we're ready for whatever asteroid explodey blow ups come our way. Okay, here we go. And play

[Mindy]

Wee Wow. Will be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Dennis]

What in the world?

[Guy Raz]

This is insane.

[Dennis]

Sure, he might be a simple blue collar oil drilling everyman from 1998, but daggone it, he's the best chance we've got for blowing up this asteroid and avoiding an Armageddon.

[Guy Raz]

We have approval from the president, sir.

[Dennis]

So, Bruce, what do you say? Hmm.

[Mindy]

I

[Dennis]

say yes to saving the planet. I say yes to saving my family. Yes to soaring through space and being a hero.

[Mindy]

Sorry, excuse me. Coming through. Sorry. Hey, guy. Raz, where are you, little buddy?

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I'm over here.

[Mindy]

Oh, there you are, Reggie. Watch your wings. There's people trying to see this play. Sorry, excuse me, coming through. Just. Can you put your legs up? Just hold your knees to your chest.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you.

[Mindy]

Thank you. Oh, I think I'm stuck. Can you give me a little nudge? Oh, thank you. Sorry. All right, buddy, I got nachos, I got popcorn, I got fish tacos. Which one do you want?

[Guy Raz]

Mandy, can you please be a little quieter? They're in the final number of the first act.

[Mindy]

Sorry. What did I miss?

[Guy Raz]

Well, we're about to find out whether Bruce will leave his daughter to go blow up the asteroid headed for Earth.

[Mindy]

I still can't believe you got us tickets to Armageddon the musical.

[Guy Raz]

Reggie, that's what happens when your cousin is Lin Manuel Miranda's pet parakeet.

[Dennis]

Shh.

[Mindy]

Sorry.

[Dennis]

I'm just a simple oil man.

[Mindy]

What should I say?

[Dennis]

Well, Bruce, what's it gonna be?

[Mindy]

I

[Dennis]

say, Bruce,

[Guy Raz]

During the intermission of Armageddon the music, please be sure to

[Dennis]

visit our concessions for asteroid popcorn balls

[Guy Raz]

the size of Texas. Whoa, what a first act. Mindy, I have chills Here.

[Mindy]

Put on my sweater. Okay. Reg, meet you out there. Someone's in a hurry to use the little pigeons room.

[Guy Raz]

I can't wait to see what the rock does as the asteroid in Act 2.

[Mindy]

Me neither. I keep hearing that he's dynamite in this.

[Guy Raz]

That reminds me, Mindy, who was actually playing the role of the dynamite?

[Mindy]

Um, I can't remember. Who's playing the role of the dynamite? Oh, you know what? I picked up one of those little programs when I was out in the lobby. Let's look it up in here.

[Guy Raz]

Ah, Mindy, it's all covered in butter.

[Mindy]

No, it's not.

[Guy Raz]

Then what do you call this?

[Mindy]

Um, nacho cheese. It's not even the same color as butter. Here, I'll lick it off.

[Dennis]

Ugh.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, let's see here. Wait a minute. That's so cool.

[Mindy]

What's so cool?

[Guy Raz]

It says right here, Mindy, that a special branch of NASA called Planetary Defense Coordination were actually brought on board to help write this musical.

[Mindy]

Planetary defense, huh?

[Guy Raz]

That's right. It says right here that it's a special branch of NASA, the government space agency that keeps an eye on the night sky for any asteroids that might be headed our way.

[Mindy]

Huh. So they're sort of like those government agents in the musical. You know, the ones that went out to Bruce's ranch to ask him to join the mission to blow up the asteroid?

[Guy Raz]

Sort of. Mindy, it says they track any asteroids that come within 30 million miles of Earth.

[Mindy]

Ooh, and just to be clear, asteroids are those big old hunks of rock floating way out there in space, right?

[Guy Raz]

That's right. It also says that if it should ever come to it, they would lead a team of astronauts to help steer any incoming asteroids away from Earth.

[Mindy]

Wow, that is literally a big job. But.

[Guy Raz]

But what?

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, I don't think Planetary defense would approve of Bruce from the musical Smash bang, boom approach to stopping that asteroid.

[Guy Raz]

Well, why is that?

[Mindy]

Okay, so I just finished reading this brand new scientific study by Charles L. Muir from John Hopkins University, and the study shows that smashing apart an asteroid that's heading towards Earth is about as pointless as a pigeon in pajamas.

[Guy Raz]

Well, what do you mean?

[Mindy]

Well, Guy Raz, I could tell you

[Guy Raz]

or you could show me. Yes.

[Mindy]

Sweet. Finally. Agree.

[Guy Raz]

But Mindy, the second act of the musical is gonna start at any moment now.

[Mindy]

Raz, we have a mostly functional time traveling wow machine that's parked right outside. We can be back before we've even left. Come on, quick trip out to the asteroid belt. What do you say?

[Guy Raz]

What do I say? What do I say? I say yes.

[Mindy]

Yes. Okay, let me just get the valet to bring the wow machine around. Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk.

[Dennis]

Jerry's still waiting on that PLP50. And who's bringing around the Amphicar?

[Mindy]

Hello? Excuse me. Oh, hi, yes, I was wondering if you could bring my wow machine around.

[Dennis]

Sure. What's it look like?

[Mindy]

It's the one with the broken pirate ship door and the red racing stripes.

[Dennis]

Oh, I'm sorry, you're gonna have to be more specific. We've got a lot of wow machines here today, ma'. Am.

[Mindy]

Oh, okay. Well, it's leaking mayonnaise and smells like a combo of baby powder and hot dog water.

[Dennis]

Oh, yes, I know the one. I'll be right back. There we go, ma'.

[Mindy]

Am.

[Dennis]

Sorry for the wait. I couldn't remember where I put it.

[Mindy]

Ugh, tell me about it. That happens to me all the time. One time I thought I left it in the Paleolithic era, and then I couldn't find it anywhere, and next thing I know, I end up finding it all the way in the Pleistocene era.

[Dennis]

Well, you three have a good night.

[Mindy]

Okay, Guy Raz, hop on in.

[Guy Raz]

Okay.

[Mindy]

Okay, let's see here. Blinds are down, tray tables are up. Let's punch in some coordinates. Asteroid Belt. Okay, you ready?

[Guy Raz]

You bet, Mindy.

[Mindy]

Good, because here we go. Yeah. Never gets old, right, Guy Raz? Uh, Guy Raz. Right, Reggie, you doing okay there, buddy? Well, Guy Raz, Reggie, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the asteroid belt. Over 200 million miles away from Earth and home to 2,2 billion tons of floating space rock. Any of which could be knocked off course by something as innocent and unassuming as, say, I don't know, maybe a little old time traveling wow machine.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, what in the wow are you doing?

[Mindy]

Just giving one of these giant asteroids a little nudge towards Earth.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy]

Don't worry, Guy Raz. It takes at least 220 days for an asteroid to travel all the way from the asteroid belt to Earth. But, But Mindy, Guy Raz, do you trust me?

[Guy Raz]

No.

[Mindy]

Okay, that is not the answer I was looking for. But Guy Raz, Reggie, hold on to your tail feathers because this asteroid has a date with planet Earth. Mickey, go.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, wait, was that it?

[Mindy]

Like I said, just a little nudge.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, Mindy, but how do we stop this asteroid from crashing into Earth? Oh, are we gonna blow it up like they did in Armageddon the Musical? I say yes.

[Mindy]

Uh, no.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, then how?

[Mindy]

Well, remember that part of NASA that was mentioned in the musical's program earlier?

[Guy Raz]

Planetary Defense.

[Mindy]

Yeah, so Planetary defense has lots of different plans for stopping asteroids that are on a course for Earth.

[Guy Raz]

Uh huh.

[Mindy]

And one of those plans is to take a small but heavy spacecraft, slam it into the side of the asteroid, and smash it into lots of teeny tiny harmless smithereens. And by smithereens, I mean pieces.

[Guy Raz]

Well, it's not exactly as exciting as a gigantic outer space explosion, but hey, if it works, it works.

[Mindy]

But that's the thing, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy]

It doesn't work.

[Guy Raz]

It doesn't work.

[Mindy]

I could have sworn I fixed that echo in here. Mindy.

[Guy Raz]

What do you mean it doesn't work?

[Mindy]

Okay, so remember that scientific study I was telling you about earlier?

[Guy Raz]

The one by Charles Elmier from Johns Hopkins University?

[Mindy]

Mm, that's the one. So Charles Elmier and his team of researchers were able to test how effective this method of destroying an incoming asteroid would be by simulating it or modeling it on a computer.

[Guy Raz]

So he was able to use information about asteroids and impacts to predict what would happen if you slammed a spacecraft into the side of an exact oritos.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

And what did he find?

[Mindy]

Well, that's what we're here to find out.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy]

Well, I didn't Bring you and Reggie all the way out here to the asteroid belt just to tell you about a scientific study?

[Guy Raz]

You. You didn't.

[Mindy]

No, I came here to show you about a scientific study.

[Guy Raz]

Show me?

[Mindy]

Yes. Okay, let's see here. In the simulation, they used a 15.5 mile wide asteroid. Check.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa. 15.5 miles. Mindy, this asteroid is a quarter of the size of Washington D.C. yeah.

[Mindy]

And then they slammed a 4,000 foot projectile into the side of the asteroid to crack the case of whether this form of asteroid assassination would work in reality.

[Guy Raz]

And what did they find, Mindy?

[Mindy]

Well, why don't you grab that little tricked out bike pump over there and find out.

[Guy Raz]

Bike pump? Mindy, is that my bike pump?

[Mindy]

A couple of upgrades. Go ahead, check it out. Give it a couple pumps.

[Guy Raz]

Okay. Mindy. Mindy. What was that?

[Mindy]

The outside of the wow. Machine is expanding. Guy Raz, I turned your bike pump into an expando pump.

[Guy Raz]

An expando pump?

[Mindy]

Yeah, it makes the wow. Machine bigger. Check it out. Look outside.

[Guy Raz]

Okay. Hey. The asteroid seems to have gotten smaller.

[Mindy]

But in reality, we've just gotten bigger. Huh.

[Guy Raz]

So why did we need to make the wow Machine so much bigger?

[Mindy]

Well, to show you, I'm going to recreate the simulation or the model the same way that those researchers at John Hopkins University did. Now, let me see here. The projectile in the simulation was 4,000ft tall. And the wow. Machine is only about 10ft tall. So let's go ahead and make the wow machine about 400 times big. Bigger. Move over, pal.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Are you saying that you're gonna slam the wow Machine into the side of this asteroid in order to smash it into smithereens?

[Mindy]

Yes, of course. That's what I'm saying. Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy]

Don't worry. The wow machine is made out of reinforced aluminum sided cor. We'll be fine. Maybe.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I don't know about this.

[Mindy]

Great. That makes two of us. Mindy, Reggie, Guy, Raz, strap yourselves in.

[Guy Raz]

You still don't have seat belts in here, Mindy?

[Mindy]

Then I don't. Oh. Hold on to that railing over there.

[Guy Raz]

Is this railing made out of candy canes?

[Mindy]

And here we go. Oh, yeah. Ah, that sound is so annoying. Let me just take care of this. Okay. All right. Everything's fine.

[Guy Raz]

Hey, look, it worked.

[Mindy]

Whoa.

[Guy Raz]

The asteroid. It's broke it up into lots and lots of tiny, tiny pieces.

[Mindy]

What once looked like a giant piece of rock is now just millions and billions of harmless little pieces.

[Guy Raz]

But Mindy, I thought you said this wouldn't Work.

[Mindy]

Ooh, yeah. Well, not so fast. Guy Raz, you see that big old chunk of rock that's still intact over there?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah.

[Mindy]

Well, that's the core of the asteroid. And if this simulation is anything to go by. Let me just hit this button here. Whoop. Sorry. Nope, that's for the cat flap. Just need to push the fast forward button. Ah, here it is.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa, whoa. Look at that, Mindy. It looks as though all of those smaller pieces of asteroid are heading back towards the core of the asteroid.

[Mindy]

Just like in the simulation.

[Guy Raz]

It's as though the core of the asteroid is sucking in all of the smaller pieces that just got smashed off of it.

[Mindy]

Like Humpty Dumpty putting himself back together again. And Guy Raz, this is all because of the gravitational pull.

[Guy Raz]

And a gravitational pull is the invisible force that heavy objects in space use to suck solar smaller objects in.

[Mindy]

You know it, Guy Raz and these researchers were able to show that these big asteroids gravitational pull gave the asteroids the ability to pull themselves back together again when they were smashed by a heavy spacecraft.

[Guy Raz]

Right. So let me get this straight. The spacecraft smashes into the side of the asteroid, bursting into lots of little pieces, but the leftover asteroid core is still big enough to pull back in all of those little pieces because of its gravitational pull.

[Mindy]

Yep. Sucked em right up and put itself back together again.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, but Mindy, I still have one more eensy weensy tiny little concern.

[Mindy]

Uh, Guy Raz, we are in a partly functional aluminum coated cardboard wow machine in the middle of the asteroid belt with. What do you possibly have to be concerned about?

[Guy Raz]

There's still an asteroid headed towards planet Earth.

[Mindy]

Okay, get those ants out of your pants and calm down. As usual, I've got everything out of control.

[Dennis]

What?

[Mindy]

I also have a plan.

[Guy Raz]

You do?

[Mindy]

No, but NASA does.

[Guy Raz]

It does?

[Mindy]

Yeah. So you know how I said that NASA has a bunch of different plans to redirect asteroids that are on a crash course with Earth?

[Guy Raz]

Uh huh.

[Mindy]

Well, I thought that maybe we could take another plan out of their playbook here.

[Guy Raz]

NASA's Planetary Defense Playbook.

[Mindy]

Okay, now let's see here. No, no, no.

[Guy Raz]

How about this one? Mindy Gravity tractor beam.

[Mindy]

A tractor beam like they use in science fiction movies?

[Guy Raz]

Exactly. It says here that it's one of the most promising plans to redirect an asteroid that's heading towards Earth.

[Mindy]

Hmm, sounds good enough to me.

[Guy Raz]

It says here that if you can get a large enough object next to the asteroid, the object's gravitational field should be able to pull the asteroid towards it and over time, change its path.

[Mindy]

Change its path away from Earth.

[Guy Raz]

Exactly. Just like how the asteroid's core or center will was able to pull in all those smashed bits of asteroid.

[Mindy]

Okay, let me just make sure I've got this straight. So you're saying that a large object next to the asteroid could use its gravitational pull to pull the asteroid away from Earth?

[Guy Raz]

Correctamundo. If only we had a large enough object. Ah.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah?

[Mindy]

Forgetting something?

[Guy Raz]

Huh? What? Huh? Eh? Huh?

[Mindy]

Ahem.

[Guy Raz]

Of course. The expando pump. Mindy, that's brilliant. If we keep expanding the wow Machine, we might be able to make it big enough for its gravitational field to pull this asteroid out of the way of Earth.

[Mindy]

That's the plan. Now, you want to give me a hand here?

[Guy Raz]

Sure thing, Mindy.

[Mindy]

And pump. And pump. And pump. And pump. And pump. And pump. And pump.

[Dennis]

Whoa.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa. Mindy, take a look at the asteroid. Now, it looks about 10 times smaller than it was before, but again, it's

[Mindy]

just that we here in the wow Machine have gotten bigger.

[Dennis]

Right.

[Mindy]

Okay, now all we need to do is get. Get close enough to the asteroid for it to get caught in our gravitational field. Now, let me just grab the steering wheel here.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, Is that steering wheel from a pirate ship?

[Mindy]

Mm.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy]

Now, let's get that asteroid. Easy. Easy does it. Okay, that should be close. That's enough.

[Guy Raz]

Well, now what do we do, Mindy?

[Mindy]

Now we slowly drag this big old hunk of rock out of harm's way.

[Guy Raz]

Say, how long does this usually take, Mindy?

[Mindy]

A couple of months.

[Guy Raz]

A couple of months?

[Mindy]

Yeah. Our gravitational pull isn't that strong, but over a long enough period of time, we should be able to drag this thing out of the way.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, can't we just use the fast forward button again?

[Mindy]

Oh, yeah. I always forget about that thing. Hold tight. And that should do it.

[Guy Raz]

Look, Mindy, it's working. That asteroid's going to miss Earth by a long shot.

[Mindy]

Oh, yeah. Didn't doubt it for a second.

[Guy Raz]

So, do you think we can head back to the theater now? I know it may not be completely scientifically accurate, but I heard the Final Dance number, and Armageddon the Musical is out of this world.

[Mindy]

I see what you did there, Guy Raz. Out of this world. All right, let's get ready to head on back. Locking in the coordinates. Here we.

[Guy Raz]

Nice landing, Mindy. Those giant bouncy castles you attach to the front bumper really helps to soften the landing.

[Mindy]

Thanks, buddy. Now let's get out of here. Opening hatch. Ah.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, you landed us right in the middle of the stage during the final number.

[Mindy]

Everyone thinks it's part of the show.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, what do we do now?

[Mindy]

Just smile and wave. Just smile and wave. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank. Oh, you're too kind. Too much.

[Dennis]

Reggie, how could you? You had tickets to Armageddon, the musical, and you didn't take me, your most theatrical friend in the world? Nuh. I don't always try to climb up on stage and start singing, and then the ushers have to throw me out. And then I have to sneak back in through the stage door and try to convince the security guard I'm a member of the show and that I'm very late for my big entrance. I will never forget this, Reggie. Never. Never, ever, ever, never. Oh, look, Goldie Bob's back. Looks like she's headed for a fishbowl. And perfect landing. Yay, Goldiebob. How was your adventure? Goldiebob, you snooped on people from your submarine. Oh, I'm so proud of you, my sneaky little fishy fish. Ooh, and you found some new Snoop spots. Show me, show me, show me, show me. Yay. Let's go. Right, right, right. Let's wrap up the show first. Ahem. Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to Wee WOW on the weekend. If you have a question for me, call and leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW. That's 1-888-7- wow Wow. I just might answer your question on Weewow on the weekend. Okay. Should we do the goodbye song? Here we go. Ahem. That's the end of the show. I need to go and become a super snoop duo with my goldfish, Goldie Bob. But I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, it's the end of the show. Bye.

[Guy Raz]

Before we get into the credits for today's episode, we want to give some special shout outs and say a huge thank you to some of the wowzers whose families are powering the WOW this year.

[Mindy]

We broke the names up into two batches, and here is our second batch of names. We are so grateful for your support.

[Guy Raz]

Decayla from California. Avani and Avir. Also from California. Martin and Matias from Utah. Penny, James and Anna. Louise from North Carolina. Lenox and Langston from Arkansas.

[Mindy]

Fiona, Bram and Callum from Wisconsin. Samuel and Victoria from Louisiana. Erin and Eden from California. Milos from California. Jonah and Elijah from New Jersey.

[Guy Raz]

Naya, Nuran, Sumitra and Bivash from New York. Noah Hudson and Ella from Pennsylvania, Evan and Emma from North Carolina Wesley from Virginia, Ashcon and Kayvon from New Mexico

[Mindy]

Lily and James from Georgia Beckett, Harper, Tim and Annie from Texas Josiah, Elijah and Dad from Texas Ellie and Daniel from Michigan Alex and Eli from Colorado,

[Guy Raz]

Ethan and Eli from Wisconsin Kira and Corinne from Illinois, Jack and Nick from Florida Odin, Lyra and Newton from California Stella and Molly from Illinois, Carolyn and

[Mindy]

Theo from Missouri, Owen and Riley from Canada Clark and Finley from Virginia, Ani and Nia from Massachusetts, Orly and Beckon

[Guy Raz]

from California, Theo and Meera from Virginia, Sebastian and Oliver from Michigan, Charlotte and Dean from New York, Campbell from Massachusetts,

[Mindy]

Nate and Sophie from Hawaii. Wevy and a belated happy birthday to Sanderling from Gilly and Ranger.

[Guy Raz]

From the bottom of our hearts and

[Mindy]

the tops of our brains, thank you.