03.26.2024

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Today’s Forecast

64º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:09 a.m. | Sunset 7:32 p.m.

🌌 Let’s get astronomical

Your stargazing guide to astronomical events in 2024

A photo of the starry night sky at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute

Views of the night sky go for miles at PARI in Asheville. | Photo by Tim Reaves

We’re seeing stars. Between this year’s total solar eclipse, four supermoons, and a host of other happenings in the night sky, 2024 will be a great year for stargazing. Here’s what, how, and where to watch.

Total solar eclipse

An eclipse is any event where an astronomical body gets obscured, either by a shadow or by another body.

This year will see a total solar eclipse cross the US on Monday, April 8, as the moon completely blocks out the sun. Although Raleigh isn’t in the path of totality, it will experience up to 70% obscurity.

Totality will last only four minutes. Exact start times vary by state, but will range from 1:40 p.m. in Fort Worth, TX to 3:18 p.m. in Buffalo, NY (local time). In Raleigh, the maximum eclipse will be seen at 3:15 p.m. on April 8.

To view the whole eclipse, invest in a pair of solar viewers. These will help you safely watch the partial eclipse, though during totality it’s safe to catch the spectacle with the naked eye.

How to watch

Light pollution in urban centers means that a clear night sky is hard to come by. Luckily, you have two options:

Find your nearest DarkSite by using a light pollution map. If you’re using a resource that lists Bortle values, you’ll want to find a place tracking five or lower in order to track meteor showers.
Join up with a local observatory or stargazing group like the Raleigh Astronomy Club or CHAOS, the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society. They might have telescopes and other equipment to help you get a good view.

If you’re looking to travel for this event, you might want to take a visit to our friends in Indianapolis, Austin, or San Antonio, all in the path of totality — the US won’t see another eclipse until 2044.

Events

Tuesday, March 26

Exhibition of Landscape/Seascape Paintings & Glass Art | Tuesday, March 26 | 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Cary Gallery of Artists, 200 S. Academy St., Ste. 120, Cary | Free | Explore oil paintings and glasswork from these artists on the final day of the March exhibition.
A Tour Through California - Napa vs. Sonoma | Tuesday, March 26 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Westgate Wine Bar, 6405 Westgate Rd., Ste. 111, Raleigh | $15-$30 | Sip through California-hailing wines.

Wednesday, March 27

Dogwood Comedy Festival | Wednesday, March 27-Sunday, March 31 | Times vary | ComedyWorx, 3801 Hillsborough St., Raleigh | Prices vary | This new improv festival includes workshops, shows, and more.
Jazz Jam Session | Wednesday, March 27 | 7-9 p.m. | Umbrella Dry Bar, 14 W. Martin St., Raleigh | Free | Jazz players — jump into the band at this zero-proof bar.

Thursday, March 28

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Detroit Red Wings | Thursday, March 28 | 7:30 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $40-$312 | The Canes will hit the ice against Detroit.

More to do this week

Click here to have your event featured.

Older Adults

Ready to retire? Attend this workshop to plan.

RAL-UNC Asheville retirement-3.26.24.jpg

The workshop includes lively seminars, practical decision-making tools, and the chance to connect with Asheville retirees. | Photo by Colby Rabon/UNC Asheville

If retirement is on your horizon, we’re guessing excitement abounds — but also questions.

Join UNC Asheville’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for a Creative Retirement Exploration Weekend (CREW) to deep dive into retirement choices and get expert answers to questions like:

What retirement lifestyle suits me?
Should I relocate?
What type of housing do I need?
How will lifestyle + location choices shape my community?

The workshop happens June 7-8 — and especially for Raleighites eyeing Asheville, an optional June 9 session to explore relocating to Asheville.

Get details + register

News Notes

Coming Soon

A craft brewery is in the works in an office park near Crabtree. Crooked Hammock Brewery, a Delaware-based beer company with a casual backyard vibe, is planning a beer garden, outdoor space with a stage, and more close to J. Alexander’s on Edwards Mill Road. (Triangle Business Journal)

Eat

New Italian-Croatian restaurant Brodeto will open in Raleigh Iron Works soon. While there’s no official opening date yet, this Scott Crawford-headed eatery features plenty of fish, including unique crudos, whole branzino, and sardine toast.

Sports

Not to distract from the madness, but NC State’s gymnastics team took home the ACC Championship last week, its first since 1984. The Pack won by a full point — a sizable win in gymnastics — with top performances from Chloe Negrete and ACC Gymnast of the Year Emily Shepard.

Seasonal

What stage of North Carolina’s 12 seasons are we on now? It feels like we’re somewhere between third winter and the pollening, but actual spring is just around the corner, according to our spring 2024 weather forecast.

Try This

This April, track your smart travel in Share the Ride NC to earn points + help the region collectively journey 24,000 miles (read: Earth’s circumference) during GoTriangle’s Around the World Challenge. The travelers with the most points in each mode will win a pair of AirPods. Sign up.*

Seasonal

There’s still time to make Easter Bunny memories at Crabtree. Everyone’s favorite egg-gifting bunny is available for photos in his colorful springtime setting through Saturday, March 30. Take a look + book.*

Announced

Congrats to @makennarand, our RALtoday winner of two GA Weekend Passes to Bear Shadow music festival in the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau May 11-12 ($600+ value). Didn’t win? Grab your tickets.*

The Buy

The Avryn & Co. wristlet sets. Bop around with all of your essentials and look stylish doing it.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Allie

From the editor

Last week, 30 readers aced the weekly news quiz — try it for yourself. Hint: Reading RALtoday closely throughout the week will help you out and get you in the know with all things Raleigh.

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