When they get it here and begin to examine it and mine it, they discover there is an ancient alien in the center which seems to have some sort of weaponry, and

When they get it here and begin to examine it and mine it, they discover there is an ancient alien in the center which seems to have some sort of weaponry, and then begins to peck its way out. After much debate, nations of the earth decide to combine resources to put the asteroid back into orbit and detonate it. A controversial scientist with terminal cancer, played by Tom Hanks, stays behind above the earth to steer it further into orbit, then arms the detonation device just as the alien frees itself. What emerges is a hauntingly beautiful and stunningly complex being. Hanks, certain of his death but filled with wonder, leaves his shuttle in his space suit to get a closer look at the being. Just before the nuclear device explodes, Hanks connects with the being through light and begins to smile and cry with joy and regret. Then everything explodes. Nothing of the alien or Hanks remains, just bits of asteroid. Ten years later, listening stations on earth begin to pick up a strange pattern of signals from space. You fill in the rest: -DNA code of Hanks that somehow reveals the cure for cancer. -Morse code for the opening lyrics to the song Age of Aquarius -Math formulas and theories that revolutionize science -Morse code for "They know about Mickey Mouse. I'm not sure how, but they keep asking me about him."