"Hong Kong Observatory - Under the Same Sky 130 Years" exhibition opens today

9 July 2013

To commemorate the 130th anniversary of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), the "Hong Kong Observatory - Under the Same Sky 130 Years" exhibition, co-organised by the HKO and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) opened today (July 9).

The exhibition, staged at 1/F Lobby of the Hong Kong Museum of History, will be open to the public free of charge from tomorrow (July 10) until September 2. The Acting Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Bobby Cheng, and the Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Shun Chi-ming, officiated at the opening ceremony at the Museum today.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Shun said, "One of the objectives of co-organising this exhibition with the Museum of History is to look back on the historical weather disasters in Hong Kong which have almost been forgotten by this generation, so as to enhance public awareness and preparedness against such disastrous weather events and to combat climate change. In addition, this exhibition enables members of the public to have a glimpse of the evolution of the wide-ranging people-oriented services developed by the Observatory's staff members in the past 130 years, based on science and innovation, to respond to the ever-changing demands and expectation of the society. Through the exhibits, previously untold stories and bits and pieces of the Observatory could be recollected, and such collective memories could be preserved for the future generations."

Mr Cheng said that the LCSD is honored to co-organise this exhibition which enables the public to appreciate the 130-year history of the Observatory. During the preparation of the exhibition, staff members of the Observatory and the Museum worked together to gather historical information and make available valuable exhibits from local and overseas museums for showing to the public. He added that the work of the Observatory is closely linked to our daily lives and is an important partner for all walks of life and every member of the public. The exhibition recalls the important role of the Observatory in more than a century.

The award presentation ceremony of the naming competition for the Observatory's mascot born earlier this year was also held at the opening ceremony. The competition involved public participation, including Friends of Observatory, Community Weather Information Network (Co-WIN) members and Observatory's staff members. An adjudication panel comprising of the Observatory's Strategic Advisors, a representative from the Radio Television Hong Kong and senior management of the Observatory selected the name "Dr Tin" from a large number of proposals for the HKO mascot. "Dr Tin", in Chinese pronunciation, represents the Observatory's close monitoring of the weather to serve the public, no matter day or night", said Dr Hung Ching-tin, a member of the adjudication panel. As the leader of the Family of Weather Icons, it will serve as an ambassador to promote the Observatory's public education activities. Details of the mascot can be found at:
http://www.hko.gov.hk/130thAnniversary/mascot_design_e.htm

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Observatory will also invite experts to deliver public talks during the period. In particular, Mr Shun will give a talk entitled "When the Observatory's Director Meets Historians" at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Museum of History, on August 24 (Saturday). Details can be found at:

Hong Kong Observatory's webpage :
http://www.hko.gov.hk/130thAnniversary/launch_130yr-exhibition_e.htm

Hong Kong Museum of History's webpage :
http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/History/en_US/web/mh/activities/public-programme-201304_01.html

The Hong Kong Museum of History is located at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It opens from 10am to 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays to Fridays; and from 10am to 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays). Admissions to the exhibition and talks are free. For details, please contact the Hong Kong Museum of History at 2724 9042.

The Hong Kong Observatory Mascot, Dr. Tin; naming competition winners; and officiating guests are pictured together at the award presentation ceremony.

The Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr. Shun Chi-ming (right), introducing the exhibits to the Acting Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr. Bobby Cheng Kam-wing (left).