WeWow on the Weekend

Summary

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

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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)

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End of Summary

Transcript

[A]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show. Oh, hey, Reg. What's that? A new pigeon dropping? Isn't that the postcard you send out to members of the World Organization of Wowzers every quarter? Can I see it?

[B]

What?

[A]

You need to see if I'm a member of the wow first. Reggie, come on. It's me, Mindy.

[B]

Huh?

[A]

You're not seeing a Mindy on the list. Okay? Try Mandy. I think Thomas Fingerling signed me up. Yes. Can I get my pigeon dropping now?

[C]

What?

[A]

I gotta wait for it in the mail, but it's right there. Okay, fine. Guess I'll go wait out by the mailbox. In the meantime, to get the next quarterly mailing from Reggie, Grownups, you can sign your Wowzer up to be a member of the World Organization of wowzers by Monday, March 16. It's so top secret, I haven't even seen it yet. Now where'd I put my mailbox? Grownups, when you sign your Wowzer up to be a member of the World Organization of Wowzers, you also get birthday cards in the mail from me and Guy Raz, access to over a thousand online activities inspired by our podcast, and a welcome kit from me and Guy Raz, including our autographs and a special T shirt. Plus, you get to help support all the work that goes into powering the wow at Tinkercast Grown Ups. Visit Tinkercast.com membership to sign up today. That's Tinkercast.com membership. That's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[C]

Ah, ah, ah, ah. Wee. Wow on the weekend.

[B]

Wee.

[C]

Wow on the weekend.

[A]

Wee.

[C]

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. Ah, whatever. We wow on the weekend. Yeah, we wow on the weekend. Laugh, laugh. 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 my co host, Reggie the giant pigeon. This is the show where we hang out and. And chit chat and listen to episodes of Tinkercast podcasts and. Hey, Reggie, check out what I got. What do you mean, what is it? It's slime. Yeah, it's so gooey and cool and I can squish it and stretch it. What'd you say, Rezi? What's that? Oh, I got some slime in my hair. Aw, thanks for looking out. I'll just grab it with my hand.

[B]

Oops.

[C]

Got a little more slime in my hair. No problem. I'll just. Oops. Now there's even more. No, no, no, it's fine. It's fine. Maybe I can just pull it out.

[B]

Ow.

[C]

Oh, no. It won't come out. Reggie, what do I do? Okay, there's only one thing to do here. No, not shave it off, Reggie. No. The only thing to do is a brand new hairstyling segment. Yes, Reggie, it's called Dennis Salon.

[B]

Ahem.

[C]

Have a seat in the chair. We're gonna style your hair at Dennis Salon. Me, me, me. Hello, and welcome to Dennis Salon. The first client. I'll be sty. Hey, Dennis, wait. Hang on. I need a hairstylist Persona. Dennis, darling, what can I do for you? Oh, Dennis, it's terrible. My hair is covered in slime. Oh, don't worry, darling. I'll fix you right up. Oh, thank you, Dennis. Thank you. Okay, first things first. My shampoo. Pigeon Reggie will give your hair a quick wash. Reggie, dear, please wash Dennis hair in the salon sink thingy. Ah, right. We don't have one of those salon sink thingies. Um, here, Ms. Dennis hair with this water bottle. Reggie, I said mist. Dennis hair. Missed it. That's better. Now, what were you thinking today, Dennis? I have a variety of slime styles to choose from. We could do spikes or unicorn horn. Oh, yes, thank you, Reggie. That's right. We could also make your hair stand straight up like you've just gotten off a roller coaster. That one. That one. Roller coaster.

[B]

One.

[C]

Great choice, darling. Reggie, comb, please. Now we'll just comb all your hair up to the sky. Tee hee. That tickles. And there you go. Don't you look fabulous.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

I love it. At least I think I love it. I don't have a mirror. Does it look good? Reggie, be honest. Okay, not that honest. Well, I think I did a great job. And that's Dennis's salon.

[A]

Me, me, me.

[C]

Okay, moving right along. Next is a segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios.

[B]

Ahem.

[C]

Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we listen to an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast podcasts. And today we're listening to season two, episode 36 of WOW in the World called An Intergalactic Interloper. Oh, I don't know what an interloper is. Maybe it's like a gazelle. Right, right. I'm thinking of an anteloper. Oh, an interloper is someone who's somewhere they're not supposed to be. Like when I show up to Guy Raz's house uninvited. And then I stay late even when he tells me it's time for him to go to bed. And then I say, let's just stay up and have a sleepover and stay up all night and tell spooky stories until the sun rises. Okay. Yeah, that sounds like I'm a cantalouper or whatever it is. Okay, here we go. And play

[A]

Wee. Wow. We'll be right back.

[C]

Grown Ups.

[A]

This message is for you.

[D]

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[A]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[C]

What in the world?

[B]

Hello? Hello? Is anyone home?

[A]

Hey, Guy Raz. Up here.

[B]

Mindy, what are you doing up on the roof?

[A]

Oh, I'm just trying to clean my gingerbread mansion.

[B]

From the outside?

[A]

Yep, starting at the top and working my way to the bottom. Watch out, Mindy. I told you to watch out, Mindy.

[B]

Is this lemon frosting?

[A]

Yeah, cleaning out my drains.

[B]

Well, why don't I give you a hand on the inside, Mindy? Organizing messy spaces is one of my favorite things to.

[A]

Wait, Guy Raz, don't open that door. I told you not to open that door.

[B]

Mindy, I know you said that your house.

[A]

Gingerbread mansion.

[B]

Oh, sorry. I know that you said your gingerbread mansion was a bit messy, but this is worse than that time you tried to 3D print a giant pancake pancake

[A]

in the target.

[B]

Get behind the soap apartment here.

[A]

Oh boy, there's pancake batter everywhere. You know, we never did get that pancake.

[B]

So Mindy, why is your place such a mess now?

[A]

Well, it's not my fault, Guy Raz. Uh huh.

[B]

Sure it isn't your fault.

[A]

I mean it. This isn't my garbage.

[B]

Well, Then whose is it?

[A]

It's from Reggie's friend from out of town. Maggie.

[B]

Maggie the Magpie?

[A]

That's the one.

[B]

What's she doing in town? I thought it was was nesting season.

[A]

Well, she came for Reggie's piano recital, and I said she could park her Keister Hearster while she's in town. Right, but between you and me, Guy Raz, she's a little

[B]

messy.

[A]

Uh, yeah. Hey, Maggie. Mags. Magster.

[B]

What?

[A]

For me? Oh, that's so nice.

[B]

It's a.

[A]

A tin can. Thanks. Oh, there's more. Ooh, that's a lot of paper clips.

[B]

Oh, man. You know, Mindy, guests overstaying their welcome isn't just a bird and a person problem.

[A]

It's not?

[B]

No. The guest I'm talking about is an intergalactic visitor that's been hanging around our solar system for billions of years.

[A]

Oh, man. So where exactly is this interstellar interloper?

[B]

Right there.

[A]

Ooh, in that cloud?

[B]

No, not in the cloud. Beyond that. In space.

[A]

Yeah, it's just kind of hard to see space with that one cloud in the way.

[B]

Mindy, our galactic guest, makes its home in a little part of our solar system called the Asteroid belt.

[A]

Fun fact, Grandma G Force actually won the asteroid belt when she took on the Masked Martian in a wrestling match in 1953.

[B]

Uh, that's not. Anyway, the asteroid belt I'm talking about is made up of the bits of space rock that float around our sun and sit between Mars and Jupiter.

[A]

Oh, that asteroid belt. Why didn't you just say so? I know all about that asteroid belt. I know that it's about two and a half times as far away from the sun as we here on Earth. And I know that 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.

[B]

You know what, Mindy? I just had a crazy idea that

[A]

we should put pop rocks in a Pop Tart and then put that inside the top of a regular tart and have ourselves a Pop Rock. Pop Tart. Tart top.

[B]

What? No, no, Mindy, I was just thinking we should go visit the asteroid belt.

[A]

Guy Raz, that's a brilliant idea. Let me just pack my bikes.

[B]

How's the time machine holding up?

[A]

Oh, Guy Raz, you're not even gonna recognize this thing. I just gave it a fresh coat of paint and I renamed it the wow Machine. Come on, it's in the garage.

[B]

All right,

[A]

I don't hear you walking. Guy Razz. Okay, here we are. Open the garage door. Hmm.

[B]

Hmm. Uh, Mindy, you might have to open the door the old fashioned way.

[A]

And what's the point of owning a gingerbread mansion if you can't even kick in your own garage door?

[B]

Mindy?

[A]

Fine.

[C]

Whoa. You like it.

[B]

Do I?

[A]

Your favorite color, right?

[B]

Yeah. I can't believe it. You painted the whole wow machine bright red just for me. That's so thoughtful of you.

[A]

Oh, well.

[B]

What?

[A]

I also painted it red because red is the fastest color.

[B]

Well, technically speaking, Mindy, red light does travel faster on the visible light spectrum than most other. Wait, Mindy, where'd you go?

[A]

Oh, I'm up here, Guy Raz. But the doors on the roof. Come on, get inside. We got asteroids to dodge.

[B]

All right, let me just get up here and.

[A]

Here, I'll pull you out.

[B]

There we go.

[A]

Ah, wow machine. Sweet wow machine.

[B]

Well, let's not waste any time, Indy, just put in the coordinates for the asteroid belt.

[A]

Can do, Captain. Guy Raz.

[B]

Arg. Set a course for ye olde outer solar system first mate.

[A]

Mindy, um, what are you doing?

[B]

Oh, sorry. I just thought we were doing.

[A]

I'm just kidding, Guy Raz. I'm pulling your pig leg.

[B]

Ha. Okay, well, let's get to it. No time to waste.

[A]

Okay. Outer solar system, asteroid belt.

[B]

Just checking. Mindy, you're not going to put us right in the middle of it, are you? Because I don't want to be ducking and diving big chunks of space rock in this thing.

[A]

No, Guy Raz, of course. Of course I'm going to drop us in the middle of it.

[B]

Uh, Mindy, I really don't think that's a great.

[C]

Warning. Incoming asteroid.

[B]

Mindy, I told you not to put us right in the middle of the asteroid belt.

[A]

Yeah, well, you also told me not to use your toothbrush on my eyebrows.

[B]

Tell me you didn't do that. Impact in 10, 9 days. Make evasive maneuvers. 5, 2, 3. 2, 1.

[A]

Wait.

[B]

What just happened? Where's the asteroid?

[A]

That was it, Guy Raz.

[B]

But, Mindy, that was just a pebble and. Hold on, let me just open up the blinds here.

[A]

Oh, here, let me help you. Just. No, pull the other string. No, wrong string.

[B]

I can't see a single other asteroid anywhere. Are you sure we're in the right place?

[A]

Well, it says right here on the dashboard asteroid belt.

[B]

But.

[A]

But there aren't any crazy asteroids to dip and dive under.

[B]

Yeah, like in the movies.

[A]

Well, things out here are a lot different in reality. Guy Raz, what do you Mean, so the asteroid belt is a really really big. And even though there are trillions of these little space rocks floating around the sun, the area in which they float is so big that all of the rocks are pretty spaced out.

[B]

Huh. So like, if I had a million ants and I just spread them out across something like the state of Texas,

[A]

there might be a million of them,

[B]

but they'd all be spread out really far apart from each other.

[A]

Exact oritos. Lucky for us. Plus we have an almost fully functional wow. Machine that can zip us from here to there in no time at all.

[B]

So we can visit different areas of the asteroid belt?

[A]

You know it.

[B]

Well, if I just take a peek through the telescope. Periscope here. Let's see. Oh, I think I see one just off in the distance.

[A]

Setting course. 3, 2, 1.

[B]

Ooh, that was quick.

[A]

Whoa, Guy Raz, take a look at this.

[D]

Whoa.

[B]

Mindy, I think I know this asteroid.

[A]

You do?

[B]

Yeah, it's called 216 Cleopatra. And the reason I know it is because it's kind of famous because of its unusual shape.

[A]

Yeah, it kinda looks a little like a dog biscuit. Uh, weird.

[B]

Well, Mindy, a lot of these asteroids don't actually have enough gravity to crush themselves into nice round balls.

[A]

Like Earth.

[B]

Exactly. So instead they clump together in these weird shapes. Cool. And Mindy, this dog bone shaped rock right here is also the perfect example of an M type asteroid.

[C]

What?

[B]

An M type type asteroid. You see, asteroids are broken up into three categories or three groups. This one is one of the rarer types of asteroids.

[A]

M type asteroids. Huh. So what does the M stand for?

[B]

Metallic.

[A]

Metallic? As in made out of metal?

[B]

Exactly. It's a mix of nickel and iron to be precise.

[A]

Cool. So what other types of asteroids are there?

[B]

Well, why don't we go try and find some?

[A]

Ah, I like the way your noodles Zoodles. Guy Raz, you ready?

[B]

I'm ready.

[A]

In three, two, one. Huh? The radar says that there should be a. Whoa. 600 mile wide asteroid right next to us. But I don't see anything. Do you?

[B]

No. Are you sure the radar isn't acting up again?

[A]

No, that's impossible. I broke it with a hammer last week.

[B]

You what?

[A]

Well, you know, it all started when I was.

[B]

Wait, wait a minute, Mindy. There. There. What?

[A]

Where?

[B]

Right there.

[A]

Mindy, I don't see anything.

[B]

It's very faint, but if you look very closely, you might be able to make out the outline of this C type asteroid.

[A]

C type asteroid? Guy Raz, I still don't. I think I see it. Oh, man, that thing is pitch. You wouldn't even know it was there.

[B]

That's because it's carbon, Mindy. The C stands for carbon in C type asteroids.

[C]

Huh.

[A]

Carbon asteroids.

[B]

Yep. They're almost pitch black. And they make up almost 75% or three out of every four asteroids in the belt. Whoa.

[A]

And it's 600 miles wide. This thing must be one of the biggest. Biggest asteroids around.

[B]

Not one of Mindy. This is the largest asteroid in the belt. What we're looking at is Ceres, the 590 mile wide dwarf planet.

[A]

Luckily it's not completely pitch black. We would have run straight into it.

[B]

You're right, Mindy. But Ceres, although being a C type asteroid, isn't completely made of carbon.

[A]

Huh, so what else is it made of?

[B]

Well, it's got a nice crusty layer of ice that covers its surface.

[A]

Okay, but Kairoz, according to our space rock travel bingo card, it looks like we still got one category of asteroid to check off.

[B]

Right. Wait, what?

[A]

Shaking it up. Okay, it's lucky. 11 legs is 11. Anybody? Anybody?

[B]

Mindy?

[A]

Fine. Hold on tight, guy. Raz. Three, two, one.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

Whoa. That is one bright space rock. Um, let me just put on my shades here. Much better and cooler.

[B]

Where are my prescription sunglasses?

[A]

I don't know. Did you check the cup holder?

[B]

The cup holder? Why would they be in the. They were in the cup holder.

[A]

Told ya.

[B]

Wow, Mindy, you were right. That is one bright S type asteroid.

[A]

And let me guess, the S stands for stylish. Cause that thing's got flair.

[B]

Well, actually, it stands for silicaceous.

[A]

Uh, silly. What?

[B]

Kiss? Silicaceous. They're sort of similar to the metallic asteroids we saw before. But instead of just being made out of nickel and iron, these hunks of rock also have lots of other types of metal in them, like magnesium silicates.

[A]

Cool. And are there more of these in the asteroid belt?

[B]

Yep, these bright asteroids make up about 17% of the asteroid belt.

[A]

Huh, so then that must make them the second most common type of asteroid.

[B]

Exactly, Mindy.

[A]

And as far as I can tell, all of these asteroids seem to be traveling in the same same direction around the sun.

[B]

I think you're right, Mindy. They all seem to be heading in a counterclockwise direction.

[A]

And in the world of astronomy, which is the study of all things space, that's called a prograde orbit. Huh?

[B]

A prograde orbit. I'm pretty sure that means moving forwards in Latin, Mindy.

[C]

Ooh la la.

[A]

Well, look at You. You little cerebrumarca.

[B]

Uh, what?

[A]

It's Latin for brainbox.

[B]

Oh, right.

[A]

Almost all the planets, moons, and yes, even asteroids have prograde orbits.

[B]

Meaning that they all move in the same direction.

[A]

Yep, and not only that, but most of these planets and moons also have prograde spins. Meaning that not only do they all circle the sun in the same direction, but they all spin in the same direction, too.

[B]

That's wild, Mindy. So what you're saying is if we keep following these asteroids in a clockwise direction around the sun, we should be completely safe? We'll be going with the flow of traffic. Yeah.

[A]

Well, that is unless we come across an asteroid with a warning. Incoming asteroid, retrograde orbit.

[B]

Retrograde orbit. And if retrograde means going backwards in Latin, does that mean.

[A]

Yep, there's a giant asteroid headed in the opposite direction around the sun. And warning.

[C]

Warning.

[A]

It's headed straight for us.

[B]

Ah, Mindy, we gotta do something. We gotta do something.

[A]

Okay, Guy Raz, I'm gonna need you to take those ants out of your pants, because we are going to be just fine. All I need to do is reverse the thrusters.

[B]

Impact intent.

[A]

Can we unplug this annoying thing? Now just sit back, relax, and enjoy ourselves as we watch this retrograde asteroid float on by.

[B]

Wait a minute, Mindy.

[A]

What?

[B]

This is the reason why I brought you out here in the first place.

[A]

Uh, to shut down this artificially intelligent computer that's keeping the wow. Machine's life support systems going.

[B]

What?

[A]

Nothing.

[B]

No. Mindy, this is the intergalactic guest I was telling you about before.

[A]

Wait, this is the visitor from another solar system?

[B]

Yeah, 2015 BZ509, or BZ for short.

[A]

BZ.

[B]

Huh.

[A]

Well, besides the fact that it's traveling the wrong way down a one way street, it really doesn't seem all that alien.

[B]

Well, Mindy, the fact that it's traveling in the wrong direction is actually the reason why scientists think that this piece of space rock might not be from this part of the universe.

[A]

Not from this part of the universe? Well, what do you mean?

[B]

Well, scientists have known about the existence of BZ since 2014, and they've been tracking it as it makes its way around the sun.

[A]

Making its way around the sun in a retrograde orbit.

[B]

Exactly. And originally the scientists thought that BZ might have been knocked by something in the past to send it spinning back in the wrong direction.

[A]

Like a batter hitting a baseball.

[B]

Exactly. But it wasn't until Dr. Fatina Mooney from the observatory in the Cote du jour in France Ooh la la. And Dr. Helena Marais from the Universidad Estadual in Brazil joined forces, put on their detective hats, and decided to get to the the bottom of BZ's origin story once and for all.

[A]

And so what did they find?

[B]

Well, Mindy, these scientists developed a new method of observing the asteroid's current trajectory.

[A]

Trajectory, meaning the direction in which the asteroid is going.

[B]

Exactly. So they were able to study the path that this asteroid was on, and by using that information, they were able to predict where the asteroid had been in the past.

[A]

You mean like hitting rewind on an old DVD player?

[B]

Pretty much. They put all of this information into a computer, and they hit rewind to see what part of the solar system this asteroid came from and why it was traveling in the wrong direction.

[A]

And?

[B]

And they found that even when they rewound the simulation all the way back to the beginning of our solar system,

[A]

like 4.5 billion years ago, they found

[B]

that even back then, BZ was still orbiting around the sun in the wrong direction.

[A]

Well, what about everything else?

[B]

Everything else, like the planets, the moons, the asteroids we know and love, were circling around the sun in the other direction around the same time. And it was a giant cloud of dust and gas that would later form our solar system as we know it today.

[A]

Which means.

[B]

Which 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. So.

[A]

So it's not from this solar system.

[B]

Winner, winner, asteroid slinger.

[A]

Wow. So this interstellar visitor has just been hanging out in our solar system for billions of years?

[B]

It sure seems that way, Mindy. And it doesn't look like it's gonna be changing its ways anytime soon.

[A]

Whew. Wow. Will really puts that whole bird that won't fly the coop situation that I've got going on into perspective. Well, speaking of which, we should probably head back to Earth. I left pancakes on the counter at home, and I had them smothered in syrup. And they're about to get to that critical point of absorption where they're just gonna turn into a big, mushy, gross mess.

[B]

What?

[A]

Buckle up.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Here we go. Ah, mansion. Sweet gingerbread mansion. What in the.

[B]

What is it, Mindy?

[A]

Whoa. It's completely cleaned up.

[B]

This place is spotless.

[A]

Maggie, did you do this? Aw, you felt bad about the mess. That's so nice. And you made us a fresh batch of pancakes. Pretzel pancakes, My favorite. Oh, mash. You can stay as long as you want, missy.

[C]

What?

[A]

Hey, guy. Raz want to join Maggie and me for a little mid afternoon pancake party?

[B]

Haha. I'd love to.

[C]

Wow, that was so cool. I didn't know that there were different types of asteroids, did you? And what were the types again? Metal. Carbon and asparagus. Right, right, right, right. Silica. That's good. I don't like asparagus. Well, we better wrap this up. The slime in my hair is hardening and it's starting to make my head itch. 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-WWOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Should we do the goodbye song? Alright, let that's the end of the show. I need to go and wash the slime out of my hair and then go back to the store for more slime because I can't seem to learn my lesson. But I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show. Bye.