EASTER DATES

Easter varies from year to year – it might be in March one year, April the next.    

The dates appear quite random, but there is actually a formula.

So, just how is Easter determined? 

Easter falls on the first SUNDAY on or after the first Full Moon after the Autumnal equinox in Southern Hemisphere or the Spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere – 20^th March.

This particular Easter Full Moon is called the Paschal Full Moon (pronounced pas-kal).

So - Easter is based around the Sunday that falls after the Full Moon that comes along after 20^th March.

The earliest Easter Sunday can be is March 22 - as it was last in 1818 and will be next in 2285.  This year, in 2016, it was 27^th March, so not too far off.

The latest Easter Sunday can be is April 25 - as it was last in 1943 and will be next in 2038 (got close in 2011 at 25^th April).