[NorthernSanctuary]

If it is close to the sun (i.e. from the line of sight point of view)), the ordinary telescopes cannot be used to see it. You need special telescopes designed to view the sun, and I imagine these will be much less in private hands. Also, the viewing angle changes based on the rotation of the earth so that it is possible that the object may be seen at one point in time and not later (eg. at dawn, but not at dusk or vice versa). In any case, it will be more easy to see later if the object is real, although it may not leave much time to prepare.