Named in honor of Akira Abe (b. 1934), managing editor of Hoshino Techo (“Star Handbook”), a quarterly journal that existed from 1978 to 1993 and popularized astronomy with the help of high-quality articles by professional astronomers. He has played a pivotal role in introducing many amateurs and professionals to astronomy. Name proposed by the discoverers following a suggestion by A. Fujii and A. Tanno.