It was discovered on 17 April 1852, by German astronomer Robert Luther at Bilk Observatory in Düsseldorf, Germany who deferred to Friedrich Wilhelm August Argelander the naming his first asteroid discovery after Thetis from Greek mythology.

[12][13] The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.1–2.8 AU once every 3 years and 11 months (1,419 days).

[1] The spectrum of this object indicates that it is an S-type asteroid with both low and high calcium forms of pyroxene on the surface, along with less than 20% olivine.

This suggests that the asteroid underwent differentiation by melting, creating a surface of basalt rock.

This minor planet was named after Thetis, the mother of Achilles in Greek mythology.