Opportunities to see a near earth object via unaided eyes or binoculars? I would like to see a near earth object proper with my eyes or binoculars someday.
Has this been possible recently? Are there any upcoming potential opportunities to do so in say the next 20 or 50 years? I have a shot at the first one, the second one is for the benefit of others :-)
Your best viewing opportunity will be 99942 Apophis which will pass Earth on April 13, 2029, where it will pass about 19,600 miles from Earth; look out for that. According to Wikipedia:

On that date, it will become as bright as magnitude 3.1 (visible to the naked eye from rural as well as darker suburban areas, visible with binoculars from most locations)

Other ones include:
(137108) 1999 AN10, passing Earth at a distance of 240,000 miles on August 7, 2027, peaking at apparent magnitude 7.3, visible with binoculars, but questionably visible in urban areas.
(153814) 2001 WN5, approaching at 155,000 miles on June 26, 2028, at magnitude 6.7.
I hope this helps.