Named in honor of Irina Victorovna Farquhar, wife of the NEAR mission director, Robert Farquhar {see planet  (5256)}. NEAR’s initial close pass by Eros will occur on 1999 January 10, their fifth wedding anniversary. Since earning a doctoral degree in economics from Leningrad State University in 1983, Irina has made several important contributions in the fields of labor, regional and health economics. (M 30477) _ _.