the Hong Kong Observatory by Sir George Bowen
What was the official name of Hong Kong Observatory from 1883 to Jul 1912?
Hong Kong Observatory 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 ( 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 ( ) after obtaining a Royal Charter in 1912 . The Observatory adopted the current name and emblem in 1997 after the transfer of Hong Kongs 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 . 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 to serve as a centre of administration of the Observatory . The building is a declared monument of Hong Kong since 1984 . The Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters . It 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 : 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 Edwards 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 . 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 Observatorys 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 the secondary school students . This outreach programme was extended to primary school students , the elderly and the community groups in the recent years . Talks are also organised in primary school during the winter time , when the 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 .