“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” -Stephen Hawking As we gaze up at the night sky, we are often in awe of the vastness and beauty of the universe. One of the most recognizable constellations is the constellation Leo, or the Lion. This constellation can be found in the northern hemisphere, and is visible during the spring and summer months. Within the constellation of Leo, there are several bright stars that make up the shape of a lion. The most notable of these stars is Regulus, which is located at the heart of the lion. Regulus is a blue-white star, and is one of the brightest in the entire sky. It is also relatively close, only 77 light years away from Earth. As we look upon the stars in Leo, we are reminded of the vastness and complexity of the universe. Each star is like a tiny piece of a puzzle that makes up the entirety of our universe. But even with all of our technological advancements, there is still so much of the universe that we have yet to explore and understand. Perhaps it is this sense of wonder and awe that draws us to astronomy. By studying the stars and the universe, we are able to better understand our place in the world. We are reminded of our smallness and yet our importance in the grand scheme of things. So the next time you find yourself outside at night, take a moment to look up and marvel at the stars above you. Whether you are able to identify the constellation Leo or not, let the beauty and complexity of the universe fill you with a sense of wonder and curiosity.