Named in honor of Vilen Valentinovich Nesterov (1935– ), head of the Astrometry Department of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute in Moscow, respected for his work in astrometry, on the rotation of the earth and the analysis of observations of artificial and natural satellites. He is one of scientific leaders of the space-borne astrometric project ‘Lomonosov’. His monograph, Common Astrometry, written with V. V. Podobed {see planet  (3311)}, is used extensively by professional astronomers, students and amateurs. (M 30475) _ _.