Named in honor of Vladimir Ivanovich Pronik (1932– ) and Iraida Ivanovna Pronik, husband and wife, astronomers at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory for more than 40 years. The Proniks, members of IAU Commission 28 (Galaxies), are known for their research on the gaseous and stellar components of galaxies and the nature of active galactic nuclei. V. I. Pronik is a prominent expert on astronomical instruments. (M 23351) _ _.