Guy Ottewell

Guy Ottewell is an astronomer, writer, and artist best known for creating the annual Astronomical Calendar, which he published from 1974 to 2016. The calendar combined detailed astronomical data with original artwork and explanatory text to help both amateur and professional astronomers track celestial events. His book "The Under-Standing of Eclipses" is considered an important work that explains solar and lunar eclipse mechanics through innovative diagrams and illustrations. Ottewell also developed unique visual teaching tools including the "Earth-Viewing" diagram, which depicts the Earth as seen from different perspectives in space. The author's written works extend beyond astronomy into poetry, plays, and fiction. His novel "The Gospel According to the Stars" explores connections between astronomy and mythology, while maintaining scientific accuracy in its celestial descriptions. Ottewell's contributions to astronomical education have been recognized by the astronomical community, with asteroid 9831 named after him. His distinctive drawing style and ability to explain complex astronomical concepts through visual means have influenced how astronomy is taught and understood by the general public.

Astronomy enthusiasts praise Ottewell's clear explanations of complex celestial mechanics. His hand-drawn illustrations in the Astronomical Calendar series receive frequent mention in reviews for helping readers visualize orbital patterns and astronomical events. Readers highlight: - Detailed yet accessible writing style - Original artwork and diagrams - Year-by-year almanac format - Paper quality and binding of physical editions Common critiques: - Limited availability of recent editions - High prices for out-of-print volumes - Some find the artistic style dated On Amazon, his Astronomical Calendar series averages 4.7/5 stars across multiple editions. One reviewer noted "Ottewell's illustrations make planetary motions intuitive in a way no computer graphics can match." Another stated "The binding quality has declined in recent years." Goodreads shows similar ratings (4.6/5 average) though with fewer total reviews. His Universal Workshop blog gets positive comments but readers mention wishing for more frequent updates.

The Astronomical Companion - A reference guide explaining fundamental concepts of astronomy, including coordinate systems, time measurement, and celestial mechanics.

Astronomical Calendar - An annual publication providing detailed charts, diagrams, and information about astronomical events throughout the year.

The Under-Standing of Eclipses - A comprehensive explanation of solar and lunar eclipses, including their mechanics, prediction, and observation.

People's Astronomy - An introductory astronomy text covering basic concepts and phenomena observable from Earth.

The Universal Workshop - A book exploring the relationships between mathematics, nature, and the physical universe.

The Natural Carnival - A collection of observations about patterns and phenomena in the natural world.

Life Cycles - An examination of biological, astronomical, and natural cycles and their interconnections.

Cling to the Earth - A narrative discussing human relationship with gravity and our planet's physical properties.

The Year-Round Messier Marathon - A guide for observing the Messier objects throughout the year, with detailed charts and instructions.

Uranography - A detailed study of star patterns and celestial cartography.