glass ball environment
n.— «Iraq, in intelligence parlance, was a “glass ball environment,” meaning the weather was often conducive to collecting images from above.» —“Poor Intelligence Misled Troops About Risk of Drawn-Out War” by Michael R. Gordon New York Times Oct. 20, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
There are eight major planets, but more than a million minor ones, including asteroids. If you discover one, you get the honor of naming it. The Dictionary of Minor Planet Names includes minor planets named for rock bands, jazz musicians, poets, and...
One of the celestial bodies listed in The Dictionary of Minor Planet Names(Amazon) is called Sumaura. It’s the name of the oldest private elementary school in Kobe, Japan, and was suggested by the discoverer’s son. This is part of a...