The asteroid Pandora, discovered in 1858, is identified by the number 55. Its full designation is 55 Pandora, and it is a large main-belt asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
George Mary Searle discovered Pandora on September 10, 1858, from the Dudley Observatory in Albany, New York. The asteroid was later named after Pandora, the figure from Greek mythology whose vessel released troubles into the world.
The number 55 is a sequential minor-planet designation, not a measurement of Pandora’s size or discovery date. Astronomers assign such numbers as objects receive secure orbital calculations and official recognition.
55 Pandora should not be confused with Pandora, Saturn’s moon, or with the “Pandora’s box” expression. All three use the same mythological name, but they describe unrelated astronomical or cultural subjects.