Named in memory of Sven Hedin (1865–1952), famous Swedish explorer of Central Asia. In his days there were still many unexplored spots on the map of our planet. Hedin made many expeditions and discovered, inter alia, the old Silk route through Asia, the Takla Makan and Gobi deserts, Lake Lop Nor and the Tarim river, as well as the sources of the Brahmaputra and Indus rivers. He was renowned, not only for his scientific papers, but also for writing articles that were interesting for laymen to read. (M 25978) _ _.