Hong Kong Astronomical Society
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香港天文學會 | |
| Hong Kong Astronomical Society | |
| Abbreviation | HKAS |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Hong Kong Amateur Astronomical Union (AAU) |
| Formation | 1974 |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | Popularize astronomical knowledge, enhance astronomical research and promote cooperation among members |
| Headquarters | Kwun Tong, Kowloon |
| Location |
|
Official language | Chinese |
President | Yu Kam Fung |
| Website | https://www.hkas.org.hk |
Formerly called | Hong Kong Amateur Astronomical Society (AAS) |
The Hong Kong Astronomical Society (HKAS) is the first public Hong Kong astronomical body, for amateur astronomers and other interested individuals. The primary objectives of the HKAS are to promote popular science of astronomy and other related sciences; raise public awareness of astronomy and other related topics such as light pollution; offer astronomical seminars, and provide astronomical training courses to schools and companies.
Current mission of the society is to enhance and share humanity's scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community.
Predecessor and change of name[edit]
In 1970, a group of secondary school students established Hong Kong Amateur Astronomical Union (AAU)[1][2] which was then renamed and registered as Hong Kong Amateur Astronomical Society (AAS)[3] in 1974[2], the predecessor of HKAS, under the Cap. 151 Societies Ordinance of Hong Kong[4].
In 1992, Hong Kong Amateur Astronomical Society was renamed as the current name [5] , to facilitate its property of overseas exchange.
Publications[edit]
Historical[edit]
Until 1974, AAU published a single-sheet stencil-printed leaflet titled "Astronomy Information" which distributed to members and astronomy clubs in secondary schools. The Society also strove to raise fellow members' standard in astronomy systematically by compiling lecture notes as well as organizing public lectures on basic astronomy[2].
In 1974, the AAS and Sky Observers' Association (HK) jointly published the "Hong Kong Astronomical Journal" which was available for public subscription, which conveys astronomical news and information for fellow amateurs and members of public, and the society solely published the journal two years later. 34 issues were distributed and the circulation of the journal peaked at over 1,000 in total. In 1981, the Society terminated the journal's publication[2].
In 1977, HKAS was invited to write a monthly column on astronomy in Wah Kiu Yat Po, a local Chinese newspaper, until the newspaper was sold to South China Morning Post in 1991[6].
In 1978, the society published "Lunar Eclipse Handbook" which can be purchased publicly[2][1].
In 1998, the Hong Kong Commercial Daily invited HKAS to write for the paper's monthly astronomy column, to spread astronomical knowledge, news and information to general public [7].
Hong Kong Astronomical Society Newsletter[edit]
Hong Kong Astronomical Society Newsletter is a quarterly coloured periodical containing information about the recent activities of HKAS, sent regularly to its members as well as local, Macau, Mainland China and overseas academic institutes by email or post.
Activities[edit]
Astrophotographic Competition and Astronomical Photographic Exhibition[edit]
In 1975, AAS organized the first local astrophotographic competition with the winning and participating entries exhibited at the “Astrophotographic Exhibition” at the High Block of Hong Kong City Hall to raise public interest in astronomy. More than 10,000 people attended this exhibition, which was the first large-scale exhibition on astronomy in the territory.[1][2]
Hong Kong Astronomical Convention[edit]
In January 1977, AAS organized the First Hong Kong Astronomical Convention at Cheung Chau[1], an outlying island with a large playground, for displaying numerous large and small telescopes including a small radio telescope called a corner reflector.
The Second Hong Kong Astronomical Convention was held by AAS in 1982 jointly with the Hong Kong Space Museum at the Sai Kung Bradbury Astronomy Camp[1][8].
Both conventions showcased the then latest astronomical equipment and observational findings and provided a platform for sharing, learning and exchange by local stargazers.
Radio Programmes[edit]
In 1983, the AAS and RTHK launched a weekly radio programme about astronomy called “Cosmic Journey”[8][1]. The half-hour programme had 34 episodes and covered various astronomy topics.
In 1985, the AAS and RTHK cooperated again to present new broadcast programme “Cosmic Journey II”[8][1].
In 1999, the HKAS and RTHK launched a new radio programme called “Unlimited Universe”[1][7].
Office Premises[edit]
During the 1970s, HKAAU (later AAS) often hosted meetings and lectures at the tutorial school in Causeway Bay called Lamda, whose operator was one of the society's founding members.
In 1980, AAS leased a penthouse on top of an old building at Sai Wan as office cum library, dark room, mirror grinding workshop and urban observing site.
In 1985, a sum of HK$40,000 was raised by members to contribute to the purchase of the Sai Wan office, but AAS relocated its office from Sai Wan to Kwun Tong due to increasing maintenance cost. The Kwun Tong office is located on 6th floor of Ricky Centre, where members can use for meetings, lectures, social gatherings or borrow book from its library.
Historical astronomical observatory sites[edit]
HKAS has established several observatory sites for stargazing and astrophotography since its founding, while all of them are decommissioned for different reasons.
Early time[edit]
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, occasional stargazing activities including lunar eclipse observations were made at various rural and suburban locations. Observations of the sun, moon and brighter planets were made on rooftops of the tutorial school in Causeway Bay and later on the Sai Wan office.
Yuen Long site[edit]
In 1972, AAU (and later AAS, HKAS) rented a small piece of land in Yuen Long as its Yuen Long site and equipped 25-cm Newtonian telescopes and 108-mm refracting telescopes [1] for night-sky observation. The site was used until returned to its landlord in 2015.
Pik Uk Astronomical Education Centre[edit]
In 1993, the society repurposed an abandoned village school in Pik Uk into Pik Uk Astronomical Education Centre, which housed a 44cm Dobsonian telescope and a 25cm Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The education centre held astronomical lectures and observation activities, e.g. the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact on Jupiter in July 1994. The Pik Uk site was returned to the government in 2001[1].
Shui Hau Observatory[edit]
In 2008, the society established Shui Hau Observatory in Shui Hau village on Lantau Island because of its pristine dark sky. The observatory was located on the top floor and rooftop of a three-storey village house and a conglomerate of veteran members was formed to co-rent the premises. The observatory was decommissioned in early 2015 but its facebook page is still being kept for record.
Observation activities outside Hong Kong[edit]
Mainland China[edit]
The HKAS organized an August visit to Mongolia for 2010 Perseid meteor shower, where they observed Perseids' Friday morning climax[9].
Groups[edit]
Theoretical Astronomy Group (TAG)[edit]
[1]Theoretical Astronomy Group, or TAG, is a study group within HKAS in 1995. Besides a research group, it also keep exploring different topics on theoretical astronomy. TAG members meet regularly to exchange ideas and publish articles on HKAS newsletters.
Examples of the topics explored by the TAG include:
- astrophysics
- cosmology
- calendar algorithms
- ephemeris computations
- neutrino astronomy
- books digest.
Participations[edit]
Local[edit]
Astronomical Training Programme for Secondary School Students[edit]
Astronomical Training Programme for Secondary Students, or ATPSS, is co-organised by the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Department of Physics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and HKAS. It provides a comprehensive training in astronomy to local full-time Secondary 4 and Secondary 5 students. It aims to cultivate and promote students' interests in natural science[10].
Macau[edit]
Mainland China[edit]
With Yunnan Astronomical Observatory[edit]
HKAS has involved in a wide field survey research project held by Yunnan Astronomical Observatory in 2015. A 0.45m Wide Field telescope in a 4m dome[11] in Gaomeigu, Lijiang under the collaboration between both parties, and the society assisted in fine-tuning, field testing of the observation system; and performing observational researches such as "A New Magnetically Active Binary System Discovered in Yunnan-Hong Kong Wide Field Survey[12]"
International[edit]
In recognition of the contributions made by the Society’s Lunar Occultation Section, AAS in 1988 became the lunar occultation information distribution centre of the International Occultation & Timing Association (IOTA) for South East Asia. It also served as the Far East information Center of the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center. Since 1991, occultation information has been made available to amateur astronomers in mainland China.
In 1991, the Lunar Occultation Section became the 1139th station of NASA’s artificial satellite observation program information distribution centre[7][1].
In 1994, International Occultation and Timing Association (IOTA) authorized the Occultation Timing Section of the HKAS to compute and dispatch predictions of occultation events to Greater China (including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), India, Mongolia and Southeast Asia countries such as Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia.[1]
With International Astronomical Union[edit]
Among other Hong Kong astronomical institutions, HKAS is a supporter of IAU's activities. The society supported IAU100 Name ExoWorlds event held by IAU Office of National Outreach to select name of star and planet in HD 212771[13][14].
Internet Services[edit]
Astro-Net[edit]
The Astro-Net was established by AAS in 1988, being the first bulletin board system (BBS) in Hong Kong specifically for astronomy and was maintained by the Lunar Occultation Section. A total of three land lines were maintained; two were referred to as Astro-Net(General) BBS opened to members and the public while the third called Astro-Net(CD-data) BBS was for members, allowing concurrent linkage for three users. In addition, there was the Astro-Net(Robotic) BBS, with nine land lines each with its own data machine, used for testing robotic telescope, providing Davis meteorological information (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, wind speed and direction, and frost), controlling UVBRI filter wheel, remote focusing mechanism, LX 200 GOTO telescope, SBIG CCD camera, GPS timing receiver, and CCTV system. Prior to the Astro-Net(Robotic) BBS available to members, its operating system was converted to DOS-based command line with one land line controlling an altazimuth system. At its peak, a total of 9 (plus one backup) 5-cm telescopes could automatically track objects. With the advent of Windows OS, AAS decided in 1996 to use a webpage to replace Astro-Net(General) BBS and Astro-Net(CD-data). Astro-Net(Robotic) BBS continued to be used until 2004 when the OS was replaced by the web base GIS interface.
Official YouTube channel[edit]
e-Groups, Website and Facebook[edit]
In 1999, HKAS established e-groups to facilitate discussions, including hkas_tag@yahoo group for its Theoretical Astronomy Section, and hkas@yahoo group for public discussion, hkas-org@yahoo group for members, and hkas-exec@yahoo group for serving executive committee members and co-opted members.
In 2007, the society created the public online forum for, and the society's Lunar Occultation Section resumed dissemination of planetary occultation information at its own Occultation Forum.
In 2009, the society established its own Facebook page and group, whereas the Lunar Occultation Section had its own Facebook page in July 2017.
Hong Kong Astronomy (HKAStro) mobile apps[edit]
The Hong Kong Astronomy mobile application for iOS devices was launched at Apple App Store on 19 May 2012.
The Apps provided daily astronomy and space-related news, observational information, astronomical activities, regional night sky conditions, 16-day weather forecast, cloud coverage forecast, moon phase, sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, and other relevant information.
The Android version was launched on 13 July 2014 whereas the Windows Phone version was launched on 31 August 2014. Apart from local users, the Apps encompasses users in mainland China, Macau, Taiwan and overseas Chinese.
In 2017, the Hong Kong Astronomy Apps was awarded as a Meritorious Healthy Apps For Mobile Phone and Tablet Users chosen by the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration of HKSAR Government [15].
External Links[edit]
- Official web page of HKAS, in Traditional Chinese
- Official forum of HKAS, in Traditional Chinese
- Chinese wiki page
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Chu, Alan (7 September 2022). "Amateur Astronomy in Hong Kong, a brief History" (pdf). Hong Kong Astronomical Society.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "History of Astronomy Education in Hong Kong (1970-1979)". Hong Kong Space Museum. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ↑ Chan, Josephine (1983). "Amateur Astronomy in Hong Kong". Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Newsletter. 77: L59. Bibcode:1983JRASC..77L..59C.
- ↑ "Cap. 151 Societies Ordinance". www.elegislation.gov.hk. HKSAR Government. Retrieved August 21, 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Member hand-book of Hong Kong Astronomical Society (in 中文) (1st ed.). Hong Kong Astronomical Society. 1999. Search this book on
- ↑ "華僑日報經營權轉讓予南華早報 雙方達成收購協議下月生效". Ta Kung Pao. 13 December 1991.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "History of Astronomy Education in Hong Kong (1990-1999)". Hong Kong Space Museum. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "History of Astronomy Education in Hong Kong (1980-1989)". Hong Kong Space Museum. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
- ↑ "Stargazers wish for shooting stars|Comment HK|chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
- ↑ "Astronomical Training Programme for Secondary Students | Hong Kong Space Museum". Hong Kong Space Museum. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ↑ 香港天文 (2015-09-20). "香港天文學會位於雲南的寬視場望遠鏡開始安裝". 香港天文學會 (in 中文). Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ↑ WANG, Jian-hua; GU, Sheng-hong; WANG, Xiao-bin; YEUNG, Bill; NG, Eric (September 2020). "A New Magnetically Active Binary System Discovered in Yunnan-Hong Kong Wide Field Survey". Acta Astronomica Sinica. 61 (5). doi:10.15940/j.cnki.0001-5245.2020.05.009 – via YNAO OpenIR.
- ↑ "International Astronomical Union | IAU". www.iau.org. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ↑ "Hong Kong, China". NameExoworlds. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ↑ "Winning entries of contests to promote "Healthy Information, Healthy Mind" announced". HKSAR Government Press Releases. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
Category:Astronomy societies Category:Astronomy Category:Non-profit organisations based in Hong Kong
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