Its surface is very dark,[8] and, based upon its classification as a C-type asteroid, is probably composed of primitive carbonaceous material.

It was discovered by C. H. F. Peters on June 3, 1875, from the observatory at Hamilton College, Clinton, New York.

Peters named it after Adeona, the Roman goddess of homecoming, because he had recently returned from a journey across the world to observe the transit of Venus.

[12][13][14] The Dawn mission team discussed performing a flyby of this object, however NASA decided against it in July 2016.

[15] At the time this was considered Dawn was orbiting the large asteroid/dwarf planet 1 Ceres, and went on studying that body later that year.