Named in honor of Walter Barsig, a teacher of science and director of a major Bavarian state school board; also a director of the Annual Cultural Festival of the Ries {see planet  (4327)} of Nördlingen, Germany, the location of one of the best known impact craters on Earth. Barsig has successfully promoted popular knowledge about the local impact craters, Ries and Steinheim {see planet  (6563)}, and the public recognition of their scientific significance. He has been remarkable in his efforts to make the local population of the Ries area aware of the intimate relationship between the geological, cultural, and economic evolution of a natural landmark, which was created by an asteroid impact 15 million years ago. (M 18139) _ _.