Which asteroid, numbered 55, was named Pandora?

Asteroid 55 Pandora is the asteroid numbered 55 and named after Pandora from Greek mythology. It was discovered by George Mary Searle at the Albany Observatory in New York on September 10, 1858.

55 Pandora is a main-belt asteroid, meaning it orbits the Sun in the broad region between Mars and Jupiter where most known asteroids are found. It is classified as an S-type asteroid, a category generally associated with stony, silicate-rich material.

This object is distinct from Pandora, the moon of Saturn, and from the fictional moon in Avatar. Numbering records an asteroid’s order of recognition, while a mythological name provides its official identity. The asteroid’s name reflects the long-standing practice of assigning classical names to minor planets.