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Theodoric · 23-02-2004, 20:53

Did you know that Easter is defined as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the Vernal Equinox? This always gets me wondering who decides the date when it's a really close run thing. For example, when exactly is the Vernal Equinox; I've seen both 21 and 22 of March quoted (I think it varies a bit because of leap years). And who decided exactly when the full moon was in the days when astronomical measurements were much less precise. I've got an idea that the church actually use a method that only approximates to the behaviour of the real moon, but gives an easily calculated and precise date.

23-02-2004, 20:53	#1
Theodoric Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,974	Easter Did you know that Easter is defined as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the Vernal Equinox? This always gets me wondering who decides the date when it's a really close run thing. For example, when exactly is the Vernal Equinox; I've seen both 21 and 22 of March quoted (I think it varies a bit because of leap years). And who decided exactly when the full moon was in the days when astronomical measurements were much less precise. I've got an idea that the church actually use a method that only approximates to the behaviour of the real moon, but gives an easily calculated and precise date.