Tara Divito: Amateur Astrophotographer Extraordinaire

The Pillars of Creation. Photo by Tara Divito

We often see awe-inspiring images of near and deep space objects (planets in our solar system to galaxies millions of light years away) from the Hubble telescope, space probes, and even from huge ground-based telescopes. About a year ago while searching online for space images, I stumbled across Tara Divito’s site. Tara is an amateur astrophotographer extraordinaire. Hailing from just outside Green Bay, Wisconsin, she has been taking photos of the wondrous celestial bodies for the past four years. ‍

I caught up with Tara the other day to ask if she would like to share some of her photos and inspiring words.

Blue Moon (the second full moon in a month) May 31, 2026. Photo by Tara

‍What first drew you to the stars?

‍ I grew up in the Upper Peninsula and was always fascinated by the beauty of the sky.  I could walk out the back door of my parent’s house in the summer and look up to see the Milky Way. I remember as a child going to the library and picking out all the space books.

Galaxies: The Leo Triplet. Photo by Tara

Astrophotography is a bit more intense than searching the heavens with binoculars or a telescope. When did you start with the specialty cameras and associated processing programs to get those beautiful images you share with others?

‍Life happens and as you grow older passions can get put on the back burner. I always carried that love for the night sky and space, but it wasn’t until my youngest child showed his interest in space at a young age that I really got back into it. In 2022 it started with Moon photography and grew into Nebulas, Galaxies, Solar imaging and more! I have several telescopes and two smart telescopes.

Our sun showing sunspots (storms on the surface). Photo by Tara

‍You are very generous in sharing your astrophotography images online. What is the take-away response you wish to accomplish from your viewers?

I never imagined I could take the images I have taken. I am proof that if you set your mind to something, it is possible!  This will always be a passion for the rest of my life. And most of all, I love sharing what I do in hopes to inspire or ignite curiosity in others.

You can follow Tara through her Instagram site (@t_div_astro) and on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@T_DIV_ASTRO/shorts). ‍