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{{Short description|Hong Kong meteorological agency}}
'''Hong Kong Observatory''' (]: 香港天文台; ] {{IPA2|hœŋ<sub>55</sub> kɔŋ<sub>35</sub> tɪn<sub>55</sub> mɐn<sub>11</sub> tʰɔɪ<sub>11</sub>}}, ]: hēung góng tīn màhn tòih, ]: hoeng1 gong2 tin1 man4 toi4; ] ]: Xiānggǎng Tiānwén Tái), known as the '''Royal Observatory''' (Chinese: 皇家香港天文台) before ], is a department of the ] ]. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards. It also monitors and makes assessments on radiation levels in Hong Kong and provides other meteorological and geophysical services to meet the needs of the public and the shipping, aviation, industrial and engineering sectors.
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2010}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2013}}


{{Infobox government agency
==Overview==
| agency_name = Hong Kong Observatory
The Observatory was established in ]. Early operations included meteorological and magnetic observations, a time service based on astronomical observations and a tropical cyclone warning service.
| nativename_a = {{lang|zh|香港天文台}}
| logo = Hong Kong Observatory Logo.svg
| logo_caption =
| seal =
| seal_width =
| seal_caption =
| headquarters = 134A ], ], ], ]
| formed = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1883|3|2}}<ref name="hkohistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/abouthko/history_e.htm|title=History of the Hong Kong Observatory|date=20 May 2011|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory|access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref>
| preceding =
| dissolved =
| superseding =
| jurisdiction =
| employees = 315 (March 2018)<ref name="hkbudget">{{cite web |url=http://www.budget.gov.hk/2019/eng/pdf/head168.pdf|title=Head 168 – HONG KONG OBSERVATORY|publisher=]|work=Hong Kong Observatory|access-date=14 October 2019}}</ref>
| budget = 381.4m ] (2019–20)<ref name="hkbudget" />
| chief1_name = Dr. Cheng Cho-ming
| chief1_position = Director of the Hong Kong Observatory
| chief2_name =
| chief2_position =
| chief3_name =
| chief3_position =
| chief4_name =
| chief4_position =
| chief5_name =
| chief5_position =
| chief6_name =
| chief6_position =
| chief7_name =
| chief7_position =
| chief8_name =
| chief8_position =
| chief9_name =
| chief9_position =
| parent_department =
| parent_agency = ]
| child1_agency =
| child2_agency =
| website = {{url|www.hko.gov.hk}}<br>{{url|www.weather.gov.hk}}
}}
{{Chinese
| c = {{linktext|lang=zh|香港|天文台}}
| j = Hoeng1 gong2 tin1 man4 toi4
| y = Hēung góng tīn màhn tòih
| p = Xiānggǎng Tiānwéntái
}}
{{Politics of Hong Kong}}


]
The Hong Kong Observatory was built in ], ] in ]. ] in Tsim Sha Tsui is so named based on this landmark. The observatory is now surrounded by ]s as a result of rapid ], but it remains unrelocated. As a result of high greenhouse gas emission, the reflection of sunlight off buildings and the surfaces of roads and the reducing vegetation, the location suffers from the ] effect. Recorded temperatures by the observatory saw a rapid rise from ] to ] as a result. In ], the observatory opened its resources centre, providing information on weather, climate, oceanology, meterology and other related information.
]


The '''Hong Kong Observatory''' is a ] agency of the government of ]. The Observatory forecasts the weather and issues warnings on ]. It also monitors and makes assessments on ] in Hong Kong and provides other ] and geophysical services to meet the needs of the public and the shipping, aviation, industrial and engineering sectors.
==Outreach activities and publicity==
The ''Friends of the Observatory'', an interest group set up in ] to help the Observatory to better identify the needs of the public, now has more than 4 600 members. Activities organized for the Friends of the Observatory include regular science lectures and visits to Observatory’s facilities. Newsletters were also produced for members once every four months. The Observatory regularly organizes visits by secondary school children. This outreach programme was extended to primary school children and the elderly in recent years. A roving exhibition for the public was also mounted in shopping malls in ]. To promote understanding of the services provided by the Observatory and their benefits to the community, over 50 press releases were issued and 7 media briefings were held in 2003. A conveniently located resource centre is open to the public for easy access of information provided by the Observatory.


==See also== == Overview ==

*]
The Observatory was established on 2 March 1883 as the Hong Kong Observatory by Sir ], the 9th ], with {{ill|William Doberck|sv}} (1852–1941) as its first director. Early operations included meteorological and magnetic observations, a time service based on astronomical observations and a ] warning service. The Observatory was renamed the '''Royal Observatory Hong Kong''' ({{zh|c=皇家香港天文台}}) after obtaining a ] in 1912.<ref name="hkohistory" /> The Observatory adopted the current name and emblem in 1997 after the ].

The Hong Kong Observatory was built in ], ] in 1883. ] in Tsim Sha Tsui is so named based on this landmark. However, due to rapid ], it is now surrounded by ]s. As a result of high ], the reflection of sunlight from buildings and the surfaces of roads, as well as the reduced vegetation, it suffers from a ] effect. This was demonstrated by the considerable increase in average temperatures recorded by the Observatory between 1980 and 2005. In 2002, the Observatory opened a resource centre on the 23rd Floor of the nearby Miramar Tower, where the public can buy Hong Kong Observatory publications and access other meteorological information.
]

== Buildings in the observatory ==

=== 1883 building ===
This building, built in 1883, is a rectangular two-storey plastered brick structure. It is characterised by arched windows and long verandas. It now houses the office of the directorate and serves as the centre of administration of the Observatory.<ref></ref> The building is a ] since 1984.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hong Kong Observatory, Tsim Sha Tsui|url=http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/monuments_24.php|access-date=22 September 2013|work=Antiquities and Monuments Office|publisher=Government of Hong Kong}}</ref><ref name=EPD>{{cite web|title=Annex I Listing of Declared Monuments|url=http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/textonly/english/environmentinhk/eia_planning/sea/annex_i.html|date=1 January 1999|access-date=10 March 2013|work=Environmental Protection Department|publisher=Government of Hong Kong|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028021126/http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/eia_planning/sea/annex_i.html|archive-date=28 October 2009}}</ref>

=== The Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters ===
This building is next to the 1883 Building; the Centenary Building, used as The Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters, was erected in 1983 as a commemoration of the ] service of the Observatory.<ref></ref>

== Directors ==
Over the years, the observatory has been led by ]
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|+
!#
!Name
!Tenure Start
!Tenure End
!Length of Tenure
!Notes
|-
|1
|William Doberck
|2 March 1883
|12 September 1907
|{{age in years and days|1883|3|2|1907|9|12|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
* First Director
* Longest serving Director
|-
|2
|Frederick George Figg
|13 September 1907
|13 June 1912
|{{age in years and days|1907|9|13|1912|6|13|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
|-
|3
|Thomas Folkes Claxton
|14 June 1912
|8 July 1932
|{{age in years and days|1912|6|14|1932|7|8|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
* Second Director to serve over 20 years
|-
|4
|Charles William Jeffries
|9 July 1932
|20 June 1941
|{{age in years and days|1932|7|9|1941|6|20|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
|-
|5
|Benjamin Davis Evans
|21 June 1941
|30 April 1946
|{{age in years and days|1941|6|21|1946|4|30|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
* Director through ]
|-
|6
|Graham Scudamore Percival Heywood
|1 May 1946
|7 April 1956
|{{age in years and days|1946|5|1|1956|4|7|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
|-
|7
|Ian Edward Mein Watts
|8 April 1956
|23 August 1965
|{{age in years and days|1956|4|8|1965|8|23|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
|-
|8
|Gordon John Bell
|24 August 1965
|16 January 1981
|{{age in years and days|1965|8|24|1981|1|16|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
|-
|9
|John Edgar Peacock
|17 January 1981
|14 March 1984
|{{age in years and days|1981|1|17|1984|3|14|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
* Last British Director
|-
|10
|Patrick Sham Pak
|15 March 1984
|25 May 1995
|{{age in years and days|1984|3|15|1995|5|25|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
* First local Hong Kong Chinese Director
|-
|11
|Robert Lau Chi-kwan
|26 May 1995
|21 December 1996
|{{age in years and days|1995|5|26|1996|12|21|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
|-
|12
|Lam Hung-kwan
|22 December 1996
|13 March 2003
|{{age in years and days|1996|12|22|2003|3|13|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
* Director through ]
|-
|13
|Lam Chiu-ying
|14 March 2003
|10 May 2009
|{{age in years and days|2003|3|14|2009|5|10|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
|-
|14
|Lee Boon-ying
|11 May 2009
|13 April 2011
|{{age in years and days|2009|5|11|2011|4|13|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
|-
|15
|Shun Chi-ming
|14 April 2011
|14 February 2020
|{{age in years and days|2011|4|14|2020|2|14|sep=and|duration=on}}
|
|-
|'''16'''
|'''Cheng Cho-ming'''
|'''15 February 2020'''
|'''''Incumbent'''''
|'''{{ayd|15 February 2020}}'''
|
|}
:<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Directors |url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/abouthko/history/directors.htm |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=www.hko.gov.hk |language=en}}</ref>

==Observatory logo==

From 1885 to 1948, the HKO used the ] in various styles for its logo but in 1949, this was changed to a circular escutcheon featuring pictures of weather observation tools, with the year 1883 at the bottom and a ] at the top. In 1981, the logo was changed to the old coat of arms, and in 1997, with the ], the current logo was introduced to replace the colonial symbols.

== Outreach activities and publicity ==
]
]
The Friends of the Observatory, an interest group set up in 1996 to help the Observatory to promote Hong Kong Observatory and its services to the public, provide science extension activities in relation to the works of the Observatory and foster communication between the Observatory and the public, now has more than 7,000 individual and family members in total. Activities organised for the Friends of the Observatory include regular science lectures and visits to Observatory's facilities. Newsletters (named 談天說地) were also published for members once every four months. Voluntary docents from this interest group lead a "HKO Guided Tour" to let the public who applied for visit in advance to visit the headquarters of the Observatory, and learn about the history, environment and meteorological science applied by the Observatory.

The Observatory regularly organises visits for secondary school students. This outreach programme was extended to primary school students, the elderly and community groups in recent years. Talks are also organised in primary schools during the winter time, when officials are less busy in the severe climate issues and watchouts. A roving exhibition for the public was also mounted in shopping malls in 2003. To promote understanding of the services provided by the Observatory and their benefits to the community, over 50 press releases were issued and 7 media briefings were held in 2003. From time to time, the Observatory also works closely with schools for a series of events, including with the Geography Society of ] between 2008 and 2009.

== See also ==
*] (Taiwan)
*]
*] *]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Hong Kong Observatory}}
{{Spoken Misplaced Pages|HongKongObservatory.ogg|date=2005-12-14}}
* {{Official website|http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm}}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.weather.org.hk/english |title= Weather Underground of Hong Kong }}
* {{cite web |url= http://visithk.weather.gov.hk/index_e.htm |title= Hong Kong Weather Information for Tourists |publisher= Weather Underground }}
* {{cite web |url= https://worldweather.wmo.int/en <!-- aka http://www.worldweather.org --> |title= World Weather Information Service (WWIS) |publisher= ] }}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/ |title= Weather Around the World |website= Time and Date AS }}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/world |title= World weather |publisher= MET Office }}

{{Government of Hong Kong}}
{{HKIA}}
{{National Meteorological Organisations}}
{{Commerce and Economic Development Bureau}}

{{Coord|22|18|09|N|114|10|27|E|region:HK_scale:2000|display=title}}


{{authority control}}
==External link==
*


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
] ]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 00:23, 26 October 2024

Hong Kong meteorological agency

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Hong Kong Observatory
香港天文台
Agency overview
Formed2 March 1883; 141 years ago (1883-03-02)
Headquarters134A Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Employees315 (March 2018)
Annual budget381.4m HKD (2019–20)
Agency executive
  • Dr. Cheng Cho-ming, Director of the Hong Kong Observatory
Parent agencyEnvironment and Ecology Bureau
Websitewww.hko.gov.hk
www.weather.gov.hk
Hong Kong Observatory
Chinese香港天文台
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXiānggǎng Tiānwéntái
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationHēung góng tīn màhn tòih
JyutpingHoeng1 gong2 tin1 man4 toi4
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The 1883 building
The Hong Kong Observatory Centenary Building

The Hong Kong Observatory is a weather forecast agency of the government of Hong Kong. The Observatory forecasts the weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards. It also monitors and makes assessments on radiation levels in Hong Kong and provides other meteorological and geophysical services to meet the needs of the public and the shipping, aviation, industrial and engineering sectors.

Overview

The Observatory was established on 2 March 1883 as the Hong Kong Observatory by Sir George Bowen, the 9th Governor of Hong Kong, with William Doberck [sv] (1852–1941) as its first director. Early operations included meteorological and magnetic observations, a time service based on astronomical observations and a tropical cyclone warning service. The Observatory was renamed the Royal Observatory Hong Kong (Chinese: 皇家香港天文台) after obtaining a Royal Charter in 1912. The Observatory adopted the current name and emblem in 1997 after the transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty from the UK to China.

The Hong Kong Observatory was built in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon in 1883. Observatory Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is so named based on this landmark. However, due to rapid urbanisation, it is now surrounded by skyscrapers. As a result of high greenhouse gas emissions, the reflection of sunlight from buildings and the surfaces of roads, as well as the reduced vegetation, it suffers from a heat island effect. This was demonstrated by the considerable increase in average temperatures recorded by the Observatory between 1980 and 2005. In 2002, the Observatory opened a resource centre on the 23rd Floor of the nearby Miramar Tower, where the public can buy Hong Kong Observatory publications and access other meteorological information.

Hong Kong Observatory Grounds

Buildings in the observatory

1883 building

This building, built in 1883, is a rectangular two-storey plastered brick structure. It is characterised by arched windows and long verandas. It now houses the office of the directorate and serves as the centre of administration of the Observatory. The building is a declared monument of Hong Kong since 1984.

The Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters

This building is next to the 1883 Building; the Centenary Building, used as The Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters, was erected in 1983 as a commemoration of the centennial service of the Observatory.

Directors

Over the years, the observatory has been led by

Signs of Hong Kong Observatory in different years.
# Name Tenure Start Tenure End Length of Tenure Notes
1 William Doberck 2 March 1883 12 September 1907 24 years and 195 days
  • First Director
  • Longest serving Director
2 Frederick George Figg 13 September 1907 13 June 1912 4 years and 275 days
3 Thomas Folkes Claxton 14 June 1912 8 July 1932 20 years and 25 days
  • Second Director to serve over 20 years
4 Charles William Jeffries 9 July 1932 20 June 1941 8 years and 347 days
5 Benjamin Davis Evans 21 June 1941 30 April 1946 4 years and 314 days
6 Graham Scudamore Percival Heywood 1 May 1946 7 April 1956 9 years and 343 days
7 Ian Edward Mein Watts 8 April 1956 23 August 1965 9 years and 138 days
8 Gordon John Bell 24 August 1965 16 January 1981 15 years and 146 days
9 John Edgar Peacock 17 January 1981 14 March 1984 3 years and 58 days
  • Last British Director
10 Patrick Sham Pak 15 March 1984 25 May 1995 11 years and 72 days
  • First local Hong Kong Chinese Director
11 Robert Lau Chi-kwan 26 May 1995 21 December 1996 1 year and 210 days
12 Lam Hung-kwan 22 December 1996 13 March 2003 6 years and 82 days
13 Lam Chiu-ying 14 March 2003 10 May 2009 6 years and 58 days
14 Lee Boon-ying 11 May 2009 13 April 2011 1 year and 338 days
15 Shun Chi-ming 14 April 2011 14 February 2020 8 years and 307 days
16 Cheng Cho-ming 15 February 2020 Incumbent 4 years, 317 days

Observatory logo

From 1885 to 1948, the HKO used the coat of arms of the United Kingdom in various styles for its logo but in 1949, this was changed to a circular escutcheon featuring pictures of weather observation tools, with the year 1883 at the bottom and a St Edward's Crown at the top. In 1981, the logo was changed to the old coat of arms, and in 1997, with the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, the current logo was introduced to replace the colonial symbols.

Outreach activities and publicity

Young visitors at the Observatory
A sign with the old name before 1997

The Friends of the Observatory, an interest group set up in 1996 to help the Observatory to promote Hong Kong Observatory and its services to the public, provide science extension activities in relation to the works of the Observatory and foster communication between the Observatory and the public, now has more than 7,000 individual and family members in total. Activities organised for the Friends of the Observatory include regular science lectures and visits to Observatory's facilities. Newsletters (named 談天說地) were also published for members once every four months. Voluntary docents from this interest group lead a "HKO Guided Tour" to let the public who applied for visit in advance to visit the headquarters of the Observatory, and learn about the history, environment and meteorological science applied by the Observatory.

The Observatory regularly organises visits for secondary school students. This outreach programme was extended to primary school students, the elderly and community groups in recent years. Talks are also organised in primary schools during the winter time, when officials are less busy in the severe climate issues and watchouts. A roving exhibition for the public was also mounted in shopping malls in 2003. To promote understanding of the services provided by the Observatory and their benefits to the community, over 50 press releases were issued and 7 media briefings were held in 2003. From time to time, the Observatory also works closely with schools for a series of events, including with the Geography Society of PLK Vicwood KT Chong Sixth Form College between 2008 and 2009.

See also

References

  1. ^ "History of the Hong Kong Observatory". Hong Kong Observatory. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  2. ^ "Head 168 – HONG KONG OBSERVATORY" (PDF). Hong Kong Observatory. Brand Hong Kong. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  3. Hong Kong Observatory
  4. "Hong Kong Observatory, Tsim Sha Tsui". Antiquities and Monuments Office. Government of Hong Kong. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  5. "Annex I Listing of Declared Monuments". Environmental Protection Department. Government of Hong Kong. 1 January 1999. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  6. Hong Kong Observatory: Buildings
  7. "The Directors". www.hko.gov.hk. Retrieved 8 September 2023.

External links

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