Spring Equinox on March 20, Not March 21

The March equinox will occur on March 20 (not March 21) in 2010, marking the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and fall (autumn) in the southern hemisphere from an astronomical viewpoint.

Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory Director Hayk Harutyunyan, at a press conference today, said that it’s been already 20–30 years that spring equinox is marked on March 20. He said the public was still misinformed and assumed the date fell on March 21.

The March equinox will occur at 17:32 (or 5:32 pm) at Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on this date.