The event is free and open to the public.

The MSU .6 meter telescope will be ready for viewing as well as smaller telescopes set up in the observatory parking lot, with local and MSU astronomers on hand to answer questions.

“The moon should be viewable in its first quarter,” Abrams Planetarium Production Coordinator John French said. “Venus is also in the sky, so we’ll be mainly watching those.”

Public observing will also be held with sky conditions permitting on additional select nights through November.

Emily Buckler

APASO to hold picnic Sunday with activities
The Asian Pacific American Student Organization is holding its annual welcome picnic at 1 p.m. Sunday at Patriarch Park.

“Basically it’s a social before the first meeting of the year,” the group’s co-president, R.J. Quiambao, said.

Turnout for the picnic should be high, since “we’ve been promoting it like crazy,” he said. “It’s to get to know people.”

Group activities for the students and food will be available. Students also can participate in informal sports.

“It’s going to be a big barbecue,” Quiambao said.

A shuttle will be available to transport students from dorm complexes on campus to the park, which is located just off Saginaw Road.

Students who are unable to find a ride can contact the Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs at (517)353-7745.

Tara May

Lecturer to discuss international issues
Philip Ostien, a senior lecturer of law at the University of Jos in Jos, Nigeria, will discuss the incorporation of religion into a constitutional system at Detroit College of Law on Monday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. in 474 MSU-Detroit College of Law Building.

Ostien’s lecture, “Incorporating Religion in a Constitutional System: Sharia and Nigeria,” is free and open to the public.

Ostien earned a master’s degree in philosophy from MSU in 1968. He has written about religion and Sharia -the Islamic legal code. Criminal punishments under Sharia have been incorporated into many Muslim states in recent years, resulting in Christians and Muslims being at odds about the Nigerian Constitution.

Emily Buckler