Named in memory of Gottfried Kirch (1639–1710), who was called to Berlin in 1700 to become the first astronomer at the Berlin Academy. He was recognized as the first discoverer of the great comet of 1680, and he made the sole observation of comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle in 1699. His wife Maria Margaretha and son Christfried were also known as astronomers. (M 30799) _ _.