Named in honor of Serguei Pyotrovich Kapitsa (1928– ), professor of nuclear physics, active in public matters of science, the history of science and moderator of the principal Russian television program on science and society since 1973. He has been vice-president of the European Physical Society (1977–1980) and president of the Physical Society of the U.S.S.R. (1989–1992). He received the UNESCO Kalinga prize in 1979. (M 22506) _ _.