Epsilon Eridani system

Not to be confused with the Eridanus system.

The Epsilon Eridani system is a stellar system situated 10.5 light years from Earth and is identified as a region in FLEETCOM Sector One. It is home to several habitable planets, and until 2552 the most notable was Reach. At 10.5 light years from the Sol System, it is one of the closest neighbors of humanity's homeworld.

History
By the early 21st century, scientific observation had deduced the presence of an inner rocky asteroid belt, an outer icy belt, and at least three planets: a gas giant the size of Jupiter, and possibly two terrestrial planets, near the inner and outer belts, respectively.

The system was originally colonized by the colony ship Odyssey with the first wave of humanity's extrasolar colonization in 2362. By the late 25th century, the system had become home to many of the UNSC's strongholds and military bases, such as Reach. It was protected by the UNSC Epsilon Eridani Fleet. Before the Fall of Reach, Epsilon Eridani's superior interstellar jump point had been the most active Slipstream Space transfer zone (arrivals and departures) for over thirty years, with Epsilon Eridani's inferior IJP and Sol's superior IJP regularly trading second and third place spots.

Humans held the system for several hundred years, until the Battle of Reach in 2552. After that, the system came under control of the Covenant. By 2589, however, humanity had apparently reclaimed the system.

Planets
Epsilon Eridani is home to several planets, with at least six of them known to be inhabited;
 * Reach - the former military center of the UNSC, and the most developed UNSC colony. Glassed by the Fleet of Particular Justice in 2552. In 2589 the planet has been partially reterraformed.
 * Tribute - a recently set up colony, known for its industrial capacity. Presumably glassed in the Battle of Tribute.
 * Beta Gabriel - largely uninhabited, converted into an outdoors resort by wealthy entrepreneurs. Occupied by a Brute pack soon after the Battle of Reach.
 * Circumstance - famous for its universities and courts of justice. Status unknown.
 * Tantalus - another colony with an orbit of UNSC ships that aided in the Battle of Reach. Most likely glassed, yet Tantalus' status is unknown.
 * Epsilon Eridani IV - known to be the site of an Insurrection.
 * Epsilon Eridani b - a gas giant discovered in 2000. Likely renamed after system colonization.
 * Epsilon Eridani c - a terrestrial planet approximately 37 astronomical units away from the star.

List of appearances

 * Halo 2
 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * Halo: First Strike
 * Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
 * Pariah
 * Halo: Fall of Reach
 * Boot Camp
 * Invasion
 * Halo Legends
 * Origins
 * Homecoming