Named in memory of Mario Ferrero (1904–1965) who encouraged and nurtured the discoverer’s interest in astronomy when the latter was in his early teens. Ferrero was the co-discoverer of (1169) Alwine and (1218) Aster. He was an astronomer at Pino Torinese {see planet (2694)} in the 1930s. Because of his interest in teaching, Ferrero later joined the physics faculty at the Polytechnic Institute in Turin. He was also a music lover and accomplished organist. (M 30479) _ _.
Discovered on 3-3-1997 in Prescott by Comba, P. G.