Named for the astronomical observatory of the Ural State University, situated near the village of Kourovka, in the Ekaterinburg region of Russia. Founded in 1965, the Kourovka Observatory is known for research in stellar astronomy and the astrometry of comets, minor planets and artificial satellites. Since 1972 it has held an annual Student Winter Astronomical School and is now a mecca for Russian students in astronomy. (M 26763) _ _.