SPACE OBJECT BRIGHTNESS

The magnitude scale is a handy way of gauging the brightness of a celestial object, including comets

-4.5

The planet Venus at its brightest, which can even be seen in daylight.

-1.4

Sirius, the brightest star, which is visible even to casual observers.

+2.0

Typical of many of the brighter stars, such as Polaris, the Pole Star.

+6.0

The faintest magnitude visible to the naked eye, and even then against a dark sky.

+9.0

Objects down to this magnitude should be visible through 10x50 binoculars.