Disappointing; Comet 2001 Q4 [NEAT] has not yet brightened more than magnitude 4.0.
Yes!
This comet is now within 1.0 au of the sun, so solar-heat
should be effectively sublimating the comet's volatiles.
But...it's still a disappointing 4.0 magnitude...Barely visible to the naked eye,
and then only in dark skies.
It's supposed to be at its closest to earth on May/07. It will be only
50 million kilometers from earth, and nicely placed to the left of
Betelgeuse and north of Sirius on that night.
But it hasn't brightened much in 4-weeks. From mag 5.0 to mag 4.0
doesn't impress me.
It might be another dud.
Jacob