Named in honor of Takao Saito (1930– ), retired professor of astrogeophysics at Tôhoku University known for his study of solar-terrestrial physics. He has investigated the various effects of the solar wind on cometary ion tails. He has also cooperated with Japanese amateur astronomers on cometary observations. (M 26931) _ _.
Discovered on 16-4-1993 in Kitami by Endate, K., Watanabe, K.