Hong Kong Observatory

The Hong Kong Observatory Centenary Building Template: Infobox / Maintenance / image

The Hong Kong Observatory (香港 天文台Chinese, Pinyin Xiānggǎng Tianwen TAI ), in 1997, the Royal Observatory (Chinese皇家 香港 天文台) is a department of the administration of Hong Kong. The observatory carries out weather forecasts and issues warnings about weather -bound risks. It also monitors the level of radiation in Hong Kong and rated them. Finally, it presents meteorological and geophysical services available to meet the appropriate public need and also the shipping, air transport, industry and the engineering sciences.

Overview

The observatory was founded in 1883 by the ninth Governor of Hong Kong, George Bowen. Early responsibilities included meteorological and magnetic observations, providing a based on astronomical observations local time and a warning services for tropical cyclones.

The Hong Kong Observatory was built in 1883 in Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon Peninsula. The observatory is surrounded today because of the rapid urbanization of skyscrapers, its location has not moved despite the unfavorable by urban climate. In 2002, the observatory opened a public office on the 23rd floor of the nearby Miramar Towers, in which the publications of the Observatory can be purchased and access to other meteorological information is possible.

Building the Observatory

Dating from 1883, old observatory building is a two storey plastered brick building, which is characterized by arched windows and long verandas. It now houses the office of the Directorate and the administrative center of the observatory is housed.

Near the old observatory building, the Centenary Building ( centenary building). It is the main site of the Hong Kong Observatory and was built in 1983 to commemorate the centenary of the observatory.

Public relations

The "Friends of the Observatory " ( Friends of the Observatory ), a 1996 to assist the public work of the Observatory was established patrons, has more than 7,000 members. It provides access to the scientific activities and promotes the exchange between the observatory and the public. The events of the association include regular academic lectures and visits to the facilities of the observatory. Every fourth month appears a handout (Chinese name of the magazine :谈天说地) for the members of the association. For the public, volunteer-run tours are by appointment by members of the association possible, include a visit to the headquarters of the Observatory, and in which information about the history of the observatory, its environment and applied in that meteorological science are taught.

The observatory regularly organizes visits for students of secondary schools. This educational program has been expanded in recent years to include other groups, such as on primary school students, senior citizens and public employees. In winter, when the staff of the observatory are not usually taken by serious weather issues and monitoring claim, they give lectures in elementary schools. 2003 In addition, a public exhibition was conducted in large department store chains. In order to promote public understanding of the services of the Observatory and the value of its activity, 2003, more than 50 press releases were issued and held seven press conferences.