The asteroid discovered by George Mary Searle in 1858 and named after Pandora is 55 Pandora.
55 Pandora is a large main-belt asteroid discovered at the Dudley Observatory in Albany, New York. Its designation means that it was the 55th numbered minor planet to receive an official asteroid number. The object was named for Pandora, the figure from Greek mythology.
The asteroid is classified as an S-type asteroid, meaning its surface is broadly stony in composition. Astronomers have studied its brightness changes to estimate its rotation and shape, as with many irregular Solar System bodies.
The number is essential because “Pandora” is also used for a Saturnian moon, fictional locations, films, and other cultural works. 55 Pandora identifies the asteroid specifically. It should not be confused with 50 Virginia or 54 Alexandra, which were also discovered during the nineteenth century.