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Originally Posted by ramsquire
Earlier this morning in South California, where I am, the moon and Sun were in the exact same portion of the sky. In fact the sun was "above" the moon forming a sort of figure 8.
I'm a beginner stargazer and wondered how frequent does this occur, and what is it called when it happens?
Also, without using a sun filter, can I view the moon when this occurs? both objects were very bright, but considering the moon is just reflecting the light is it okay to not use a filter?
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I was in Southern California in 1992 and I saw the Sun and the Moon in the exact same place at the same time. Hundreds of people gazed at the rare spectical. Here's a picture I took:
http://orbitsimulator.com/sunset/1024fs_eclipse92.JPG
I'm surprised you perceived the Moon to be bright. It's usually barely noticable when it is close to a New Moon. You don't need a filter for the Moon, but you do need one for the Sun.
What you're describing should occur twice a month, once near sunset and once near sunrise.
How far apart were the Sun & Moon?