Will Comet Linear Be Visable?...07/23/00

The much anticipated Comet LINEAR, which is expected to reach maximum brightness around July 23rd, might not become a naked-eye comet after all.

Recent monitoring indicates that LINEAR's peak visual magnitude will be about +6.5, too faint to be seen with the unaided eye except from very dark-sky locations.

Nevertheless, the comet should appear nicely in binoculars as it glides by the bowl of the Big Dipper this weekend.