The weather in the UK plays a big part in an observers attempts to compile a detailed light curve. Very rarely does Birmingham experience more than 120 clear and partially clear nights in any one year. For continuity, advantage has to be taken of partially clear skies and even gaps and holes in clouds. Here is shown a graphical display of numbers of clear/partially clear skies since 1978. Clear nights are defined as 50% or less cloud. Partially clear is 50% or more cloud, including breaks or holes in cloud. 2002 has been the worst since my records began, with a miserable total of just 69 clear and partially clear nights available.
( Updated January 1st 2008)
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