Just got back from a galaxy observing session in which I decided to make a quick sketch of this really stunning pair of galaxies. I am aways a fan of observing multiple objects in the same FOV, and these two really called to me. NGC 4762 was quite apparent and had a lovely shape. NGC 4754 is otherwise pretty boring, but its shape is in stark contrast to 4762 and made for a pleasing combo.
I just wanted to share this photo of the moon which shows its actual brightness. When the earth (in the background) is properly exposed, the moon appears as a dim gray. This is how bright the moon actually is (as I have mentioned before, the moon is only as bright as worn asphalt on a sunny day). When you are viewing the moon through a telescope, it is only as bright as it appears in the image above. It just appears brighter because your eyes are adapted to the dark. This is why moon filters are not needed. The astronaut's view of the moon would have been brighter than anything we observe with our telescopes, and they did not need sunglasses to look at it.
As a counterpoint to myself I will say that moon filters, while not needed, can be nice to have. I have used mine once when I was having a mild headache and didn't want to exacerbate it. And I will also say that worn asphalt on a bright day is actually quite bright, and can make certainly make you squint.
But the takeaway message is that moon filters are a non-essential accessory, and here is a cool photo to show the moon's relative brightness.