Obloquy quoted the relevant portion of The Akallabeth which answers the various questions involved:
"There he took up again his great Ring in Barad-dûr, and dwelt there, dark and silent, until he wrought himself a new guise, an image of malice and hatred made visible; and the Eye of Sauron the Terrible few could endure."
The "Eye" is referred to here, and this is just after the Downfall of Numenor and before the Last Alliance. It can not refer to a palantir, as Sauron did not have access to a palantir. We know that Sauron (the "Eye") had a body for he fought Gil-galad and Elendil, and we know that the 'Eye' left Barad-dur, because Sauron fought Gil-galad and Elendil on the slopes of Mt. Doom.
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Tar-Elenion
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