The HKO Mascot Logo

Our mascot "Dr. Tin" was born on the Observatory's 130th anniversary in 2013!

Dr. Tin has
grown up

Dr. Tin and all members of the Weather Family changed their images starting from 2018.
Dr. Tin (2013)
The DNA
As part of the Weather Family, Dr. Tin shares similar characteristics as Sunny, Cumulus, Sponge, Didi, Phoebe, Violet and Break in terms of its body shape and facial features. Dr. Tin is our ambassador responsible for promulgating the Observatory's Vision, Mission and Values (VMV) and promoting public education activities. In particular, Dr. Tin has a very distinctive outfit that all the elements of the Observatory's Values (Serve • Care • Innovate • Enthuse • Nurture • Collaborate • Excel).
Dr. Tin (2013)
Serve & Care
Here Dr. Tin is shown to carry a thermometer for measuring the air temperature, but its tool kit is packed with all sorts of instruments and weather warning signs. Keeping a close eye on the weather condition, Dr. Tin assures us that the Observatory will serve and care for the well-being and the safety of the society at all times.
Dr. Tin (2013)
Nurture & Enthuse
The Sun on Dr. Tin's hat symbolises energy and warmth, whereas the rainbow represents hope. These motifs reflect the keen attitude of the Observatory towards professional growth through continuous learning, as well as the determination to nurture and enthuse the future generation through knowledge transfer and public education.
Dr. Tin (2013)
Collaborate
Whether Dr. Tin's wavy hair reminds you of the flow of winds, clouds, or waves in the ocean, those intertwining locks contain the spirit of partnership that the Observatory has in interacting with collaborators, users and stakeholders to harness knowledge and resources for maximum synergy and productive outcomes.
Dr. Tin (2013)
Innovate & Excel
The lightning-shaped shoulder straps create flashes of insight as the Observatory works on innovative developments of products and services, while the cape will inspire us to scale new heights and excel in what we do.
People-oriented

Dressed like a super-hero, Dr. Tin has an aura of authority and power that assures protection against hazardous weather events. At the same time, it strikes a friendly pose that is both open and welcoming, signifying a people-oriented approach in meeting new challenges.

Inspiration

The mascot design took inspirations from the winning designs of the Weather Mascot Competition organised by the Hong Kong Meteorological Society, the Hong Kong Society for Education in Art, and the Hong Kong Observatory, for primary school students in late 2012.

Name

The Observatory organised a naming competition in 2013 with entries from Friends of Observatory, the Community Weather Information Network (Co-WIN) members and Hong Kong Observatory's staff. The submissions were then selected by an adjudication panel comprising of the Observatory's Strategic Advisors, representative from Radio Television Hong Kong, and senior management of the Observatory. The Panel finally chose the name "Dr. Tin" for the HKO mascot from a large number of proposals. "Dr. Tin", in Chinese, means the Observatory's close monitoring of the weather to serve the public, no matter day or night.
As a leader of the Family of Weather Icons, it will serve as an ambassador to promote the Observatory's public education activities.

Dr. Tin (2013)

Blue
Represents the
colour of the sky

White
Represents the spiral rain bands of typhoons

Small Grids

Represents the pixels on radar images, and it also implies that the Observatory embraces technology in the digital age.

Cross
Represents the Observatory's target of making accurate forecasts

The Hong Kong Observatory is the government department responsible for forecasting the weather and issuing warnings on weather-related hazards. The Observatory also monitors and assesses 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.

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Photo taken on Tai Mo Shan, by Jacky Cheng

1.Blue : Represents the colour of the sky

2.White : Represents the spiral rain bands of typhoons

3.Small Grids : Represents the pixels on radar images, and it also implies that the Observatory embraces technology in the digital age.

4.Cross : Represents the Observatory's target of making accurate forecasts

The Hong Kong Observatory is the government department responsible for forecasting the weather and issuing warnings on weather-related hazards. The Observatory also monitors and assesses 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.

Photo taken on Tai Mo Shan, by Jacky Cheng
Vision

Be a model of excellence in protecting lives and building together a better society through science.

Mission

To provide people-oriented quality services in meteorology and related fields, and to enhance the society's capability in natural disaster prevention and response, through science, innovation and partnership.

Values
History

of the Hong Kong Observatory

The idea of setting up a meteorological observatory in Hong Kong was first proposed by the Royal Society in 1879. It was considered that Hong Kong was 'favourably situated for the study of meteorology in general and typhoons in particular'. Indeed, typhoons at that time were of great concern to the infant port of Hong Kong, and the proposal was therefore welcomed by the Hong Kong Government.

After considerable investigation and deliberation, the proposal was eventually approved in 1882. Dr. W. Doberck was appointed Government Astronomer (the first director of the Observatory) and, following his arrival to Hong Kong in the summer of 1883, the Hong Kong Observatory was established.

Early operations of the Observatory included meteorological observations, magnetic observations, a time service based on astronomical observations, and a tropical cyclone warning service. In 1912, King George V granted the title Royal Observatory, Hong Kong in recognition of the department's services. The title had remained until the reunification with China on 1 July 1997, when the original name was restored.

More than a century has elapsed since the establishment of the Hong Kong Observatory. The department has evolved in pace with the increasing expectations and the modern-day requirements of the Hong Kong community. From time to time, advanced technologies were introduced in the development of our products and services.

As a leader of the Family of Weather Icons, it will serve as an ambassador to promote the Observatory's public education activities.

Photo taken by Alfred Tang