Asteroid 55, discovered in 1858 and named after the figure from Greek mythology, is Pandora.
55 Pandora is a large asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The American astronomer George Mary Searle discovered it on September 10, 1858, at the Albany Observatory in New York. Its name refers to Pandora of Greek mythology, whose story is associated with the famous jar or box.
The asteroid’s designation is written with a number because it was the fifty-fifth minor planet to receive a permanent numbered designation. This is separate from the mythological name itself: “55” identifies the astronomical object, while “Pandora” identifies its chosen name.
Asteroid 55 Pandora is not the only astronomical object connected with the mythological figure. Pandora is also used in other naming contexts, including a moon of Saturn and fictional settings, so the number is essential when identifying this asteroid precisely.