Thousands of Members of the Public spent Quality Time at the Hong Kong Observatory

During the Observatory's Open Day last Saturday and Sunday (18 and 19 March 2006), parents and teachers were among the thirteen thousands plus visitors who spent an hour or two of quality time with their children and students at the Hong Kong Observatory. Miss Emily Lai, Chairperson of the Federation of Parent-Teacher Association, Tuen Mun, who helped organize a trip for some 300 teachers and school children to the Observatory on Saturday, said that the Observatory's Open Day instilled an interest on the younger generation to the wonder of weather, and at the same time enhanced their awareness of potential hazards of severe weather in Hong Kong.

Every year, the Observatory organizes an Open Day to celebrate the World Meteorological Day on 23 March. This year, the World Meteorological Day carries the theme of "Preventing and Mitigating Natural Disasters". The population and wealth are highly concentrated in Hong Kong, any single rainstorm or typhoon could have the potential to cause severe damage. The people must be vigilant and diligent before the onset of the typhoon and rainy season and check whether there is any point of vulnerability at home or at the place of work. The Open Day helps to promote the preparedness.

Special exhibits were set up to explain the major areas of work of the Observatory. As usual, the mock-up Forecasting Office attracted a sizable crowd while the forecasters gave their audience an overview of the key aspects of present-day weather forecasting. A new attraction of the 2006 Open Day was a simulated weather TV studio. Many youngsters stood next to the weather graphics to get a taste of what it's like to be a TV weather presenter.

Many people came to the Open Day to take part in an eco-tour of the Observatory's "forest" amidst the concrete jungle of Tsimshatsui. The tour could not be possible without the help of many voluntary docents of the "Friends of the Observatory". "I am proud to be part of this meaningful activity," said Mr Meego Ng who was a first-time voluntary docent. "To be associated with the Observatory and be able to interact with members of the public is quite a memorable experience to me."