Wow in the World: WeWow on the Weekend

Date: March 14, 2026
Podcast: Wow in the World
Host: Tinkercast
Episode Theme: Exploring Asteroids and Welcoming Intergalactic Visitors

Episode Overview

This lively episode of WeWow on the Weekend brings listeners along for an adventure across the asteroid belt as hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz discover the wild diversity of asteroids in our solar system—culminating in the story of an intergalactic asteroid guest that's been orbiting our sun for billions of years. With humor, playful banter, and fascinating science facts, the episode marvels at how even the messiest guests (on Earth or in space!) can make for unexpected discoveries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Weekend Shenanigans (01:48–05:44)

• Host Dennis and his sidekick, Reggie the giant pigeon, open the show with an impromptu song and comic bits about slime mishaps.
• Notable Moment: Dennis invents the "Dennis Salon" segment, humorously responding to getting slime stuck in his hair by trying out quirky hairstyles.

“Have a seat in the chair. We're gonna style your hair at Dennis Salon. Me, me, me.” – Dennis (03:46)

2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Introducing "An Intergalactic Interloper" (05:46–06:49)

• Dennis introduces the main event: a relisten of a classic Wow in the World episode, An Intergalactic Interloper (Season 2, Episode 36).
• Brief explanation of the word "interloper" sets the tone for the astronomical journey ahead.

3. A Messy Mansion and a Mystery Guest (08:04–09:46)

• Mindy is cleaning her gingerbread mansion, but the real mess comes from Maggie the magpie, Reggie’s friend. This sets up the analogy to “unwanted” guests in space.
• Playful banter about magpies hoarding shiny things introduces the segment’s theme of unexpected visitors.

“Guests overstaying their welcome isn't just a bird and a person problem. The guest I'm talking about is an intergalactic visitor that's been hanging around our solar system for billions of years.” – Guy Raz (10:31)

4. Journey to the Asteroid Belt (10:47–16:18)

• Guy Raz and Mindy hop into the "Wow Machine," a time-and-space traveling vehicle, to explore the real asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
• Mindy shares fun facts: The asteroid belt’s location, and its vast size means that even trillions of rocks are spread thin.

“It's made up of billions, maybe even trillions, of space rocks ranging from the size of a teeny tiny pebble to boulders the size of New York City.” – Mindy (11:31)

5. Exploring Asteroid Types (17:07–22:36)

A. M-Type (Metal) Asteroids (17:11–18:19)

• 216 Cleopatra, a dog bone-shaped asteroid, is their first stop.
• M-Type asteroids are rare and primarily made of nickel and iron.

“M type asteroids. Huh. So what does the M stand for? ... Metallic? As in made out of metal?” – Mindy & Guy Raz (18:06–18:16)

B. C-Type (Carbon) Asteroids (18:29–19:58)

• The duo encounters Ceres, the largest asteroid, pitch black and composed mainly of carbon.
• C-Type asteroids are the most common, representing about 75% of the belt.

“They're almost pitch black. And they make up almost 75% or three out of every four asteroids in the belt.” – Guy Raz (19:31)

C. S-Type (Silicaceous) Asteroids (20:49–21:40)

• S-Type asteroids shine bright due to their mineral content, notably magnesium silicates, and comprise about 17% of the belt.
• Mindy jokes about their “stylish” flair.

“And let me guess, the S stands for stylish. Cause that thing's got flair.” – Mindy (21:13)
“Well, actually, it stands for silicaceous.” – Guy Raz (21:18)

6. Orbits: Prograde vs. Retrograde (22:00–23:36)

• Most things in the solar system (planets, moons, asteroids) follow a prograde orbit—counterclockwise around the sun.
• Some asteroids travel in a retrograde (backward) orbit, going against the flow.

“In the world of astronomy ... that's called a prograde orbit.” – Mindy (22:05)

7. The Intergalactic Interloper: 2015 BZ509 (23:04–27:41)

• Introduction of 2015 BZ509, a unique asteroid orbiting “the wrong way” (retrograde) in the asteroid belt.
• Scientists re-created its path and found it has been orbiting in reverse since our solar system’s formation, indicating it likely originated from another star system.

“...even back then, BZ was still orbiting around the sun in the wrong direction.” – Guy Raz (26:42) “That means that this asteroid couldn't have been created from the same dust and gases that the rest of our solar system was formed from.” – Guy Raz (27:09)

8. Return Home: Perspective and Pancakes (28:02–28:54)

• Mindy realizes her guest Maggie has cleaned the mansion and made pancakes, a heartwarming mirror to their interstellar visitor revelation.
• Closing thoughts about hospitality—and slime removal.

“You made us a fresh batch of pancakes. Pretzel pancakes, my favorite. Oh, mash. You can stay as long as you want, missy.” – Mindy (28:30)

Memorable Quotes & Funny Moments

• “I just thought we were doing... I'm just kidding, Guy Raz. I'm pulling your pig leg!” – Mindy (14:10–14:15)
• “Winner, winner, asteroid slinger.” – Guy Raz (27:24)
• Dennis’s wrap-up: “The slime in my hair is hardening and it's starting to make my head itch.” (28:58)

Important Timestamps

• 01:48 – Weekend intro song & slime mishap
• 05:46 – Segment intro: Inside Tinkercast Studios
• 08:04 – Gingerbread mansion chaos; Maggie the magpie
• 10:47 – Framing of the “interloper” concept
• 11:12 – Asteroid belt facts
• 17:11 – M-type asteroid: 216 Cleopatra
• 19:02 – C-type asteroid: Ceres
• 20:49 – S-type asteroid discussion
• 22:00 – Explanation of orbits (prograde/retrograde)
• 23:04 – Encounter with 2015 BZ509 (the interloper)
• 27:27 – Realization about the asteroid’s origins
• 28:30 – Pancake party & wrap-up

Conclusion

With wordplay, science facts, and wacky adventures, this episode makes the world of asteroids exciting and approachable for kids and adults alike. The story of 2015 BZ509 encourages curiosity about the farthest corners of our solar system—and maybe even a bit more understanding the next time a guest overstays their welcome!

“Wow. So this interstellar visitor has just been hanging out in our solar system for billions of years?” – Mindy (27:27)

End of Summary