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EarthSky sends warm wishes to Guy Ottewell on his 90th birthday. His special day was July 4, 2026. This date marks a big achievement for a man who helped people love the night sky. Guy spent decades making astronomy easy to understand. We celebrate him as he finishes another trip around the sun.
Guy is famous all over the world. He is best known for his beautiful, hand-drawn Astronomical Calendar. The 2026 edition is the last one he will publish. Almost every astronomy teacher knows his work. They use his calendar to teach students about space. Millions of people have learned about the universe because of him.
Guy’s Astronomical Calendar started as a printed book. It was sold from 1974 to 2016. Sky lovers in over 100 countries bought the book. It was a favorite for amateur astronomers and teachers. The publication took a break in 2017. It returned in 2023 in print and digital formats. Now in 2026, we mark the end of this long series. The 2026 calendar is the final chapter. This close ends a period that educated millions of people.
Guy grew up in the United Kingdom. He lived in Warwickshire and then Surrey. After school, he served in the army in Libya. He hitchhiked home through many countries. He studied at Cambridge University. He learned languages like Arabic and Persian. He also studied archaeology and anthropology. During vacations, he traveled widely.
He taught at a school in Jerusalem with his first wife, Barbara. Later, he worked at universities in the UK and the US. He cataloged books in Middle Eastern languages. He also taught at a Native American school in Arizona. This experience changed his life. Camping inspired him to learn about stars. He used a telescope for the first time there. He also collected stories about stars from the Navajo people.
His life changed again when his second wife, Tilly, started a school in South Carolina. Guy first wanted to study plants. He grew many vegetables. But a physics professor asked him to teach stars instead. This request led to the yearly calendar. Guy taught himself new skills. He learned trigonometry and computer programming. He created the charts to help others see the sky.
Guy moved to England in 2001. He continued publishing the calendar from there. He has seen solar eclipses in many places. He has also taken long bicycle rides in Italy and Turkey.
Guy is not just a scientist. He is also a talented artist. His self-portrait shows his creativity. His art helps people connect with the beauty of space. He writes blog posts on his website. EarthSky has shared many of his posts with readers. His charts are still available online through 2026.
Deborah Byrd, founder of EarthSky, praised Guy. She said he conveyed astronomy to millions since 1974. He worked independently to share his knowledge. John Jardine Goss said Guy’s books and posters inspired many skywatchers. Alan Hale, a comet discoverer, noted that Guy’s humanitarian work adds depth to his science. He showed that the universe belongs to all humanity.
Joe Patterson, a professor at Columbia University, summed it up well. He said, "There’s nobody in Ottewell’s class." This reflects how highly people respect his work.
Guy Ottewell has been a dedicated educator for many years. He turned 90 on July 4, 2026. He created the hand-illustrated Astronomical Calendar. This tool has helped millions understand the night sky. His work has inspired generations of stargazers. He made astronomy accessible and fun for many people. We thank him for his beautiful charts. His legacy will continue to guide skywatchers around the world.