Named in honor of Max Schürer (1910–1997), who from 1947 to 1980 was director of the Astronomical Institute of the University of Berne. The existence of the observatory at Zimmerwald {see planet
(1775)} is due to his initiative, endurance and great technical competence. As a pupil of S. Mauderli {see planet
(1748)} he did much numerical work on the orbits of minor planets. Then he dealt with stellar dynamics and finally got deeply involved as a pioneer in satellite geodesy. His courses had broad scope and great clarity, and they inspired many young physicists to have a lasting interest in astronomical problems. (M 21129) _ _.