ENG-2017 — Page 313

15

The Environment

Meteorological Organisation (WMO) accredited the Observatory headquarters as a Centennial Observing Station for long-term climate monitoring.

Radiation Monitoring and Assessment

The Observatory monitors ambient radiation levels and measures the amount of radioactivity in environmental samples, enhancing its monitoring and assessment capabilities through collaboration with Mainland and international counterparts. In the unlikely event of a nuclear incident, the Observatory will step up its radiation monitoring activities, work with other government departments to provide decision makers with an assessment of radiological consequences and advise on actions to take. Relevant information on radiation levels and the latest developments will be provided to the public through various channels. In 2017, a second radiological survey vehicle and an online gamma spectroscopic analyser network were put into operation. The Observatory also participated in the Daya Bay Contingency Plan inter-departmental exercise.

Marine and Geophysical Services

The Observatory monitors earthquakes and tsunamis in the vicinity of Hong Kong and round the world. It provides earthquake information and tsunami warnings through its website, the media and social media, as well as via SMS and email for registered users. The Observatory publishes the Hong Kong Tide Table annually.

Astronomical Services

The Observatory provides information about astronomical phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses. It publishes astronomical almanacs, providing the traditional Chinese calendar and various types of astronomical and geophysical information. In August, the Observatory organised a joint webcast of a partial lunar eclipse with the Hong Kong Space Museum, Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre, Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College and Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Solar Tower Camp, attracting more than 80,000 page views.

Official Time Standard

As Hong Kong's official timekeeper, the Observatory maintains a time standard that is accurate to within one-ten-millionth of a second per day and contributes to the determination of Coordinated Universal Time by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. Time checks are available to the public through an online network time service, web clocks, Dial-a-Weather and radio stations. These services handled about 26 billion time-check requests in 2017.

External Cooperation

In 2017, the Observatory continued to work with the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the China Meteorological Administration to prepare for the commissioning of the Asian Aviation Meteorological Centre in 2018. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Thai Meteorological Department to strengthen collaboration in areas such as aviation meteorological services, thunderstorm nowcasting and the training of meteorological personnel. In March, the Observatory launched the online version of the updated International Cloud Atlas as commissioned by the WMO for use by the public and the media worldwide. The Observatory's internally developed Short-range Warning of Intense Rainstorms in Localised Systems helped meteorological agencies on the Mainland and overseas carry out rainfall nowcasting.

245