In astronomy, Pandora is the Saturn moon named after Pandora from Greek mythology.
Pandora is a small inner satellite of Saturn. Voyager 1 images revealed it in 1980, and its name was assigned in 1985. The moon orbits near Saturn’s F ring and is classified as one of the ring’s shepherd satellites, along with the moon Prometheus.
Pandora and Prometheus are especially notable because their gravitational effects help confine and shape Saturn’s narrow F ring. Pandora orbits outside the ring, while Prometheus orbits inside it. Their names deliberately echo the related figures in Greek mythology.
The astronomical moon should not be confused with Prometheus, another Saturnian satellite discovered in the same Voyager-era observations. It is also distinct from Pandora’s Box, the mythological container that became the source of the modern expression.