Epsilon Eridani system: Difference between revisions

{{Era|Forerunner|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}

|sector=*[[FLEETCOM Sector One]]<ref name="for343">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', p. 289 (2001); p. 343 (2010)</ref>

*[[Central Command|CENTCOM Region One]]<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', "[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]" , p. 468</ref>

|distance=10.5 light-years<ref name="enc298">''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', UNSC Colonies, p. 286 (2009), p. 298 (2011)</ref>

The '''Epsilon Eridani system''' (sometimes rendered '''ε Eridani''')<ref>''Halo: Reach'', [[:File:Recon smg.jpg|Recon armor bonus content]]</ref> is a planetary system situated 10.5 light-years from [[Earth]],{{Ref/Reuse|enc298}} is identified as a region in [[FLEETCOM Sector One]].{{Ref/Reuse|for343}} It was home to several habitable [[planet]]s [[Human colonies|colonized]] by the [[Unified Earth Government]], most notably [[Reach]]. At 10.5 light-years from its sister system, the [[Sol system]] and is one of the closest neighbors of [[human]]ity's [[Earth|homeworld]].{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

In the summer of [[2552]], the [[Covenant]] invaded the system and attacked Epsilon Eridani's major colonies. Reach ultimately [[Fall of Reach|fell]] to the Covenant and was [[Glassing|glassed]],{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/reach|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Reach}} while [[Tribute]] was brutally [[Battle of Tribute|assaulted]] and partially glassed.<ref name="h4evg2">''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', p. 177</ref> Following the [[Human-Covenant War]], at least Tribute, Reach and [[Beta Gabriel]] had been resettled by humanity.<ref>''Halo: First Strike'', [[Tug o' War]] (2010)</ref>{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/tribute|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Tribute}}<ref>''[[Halo: Warfleet]], page 23''</ref><ref name="h5">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', multiplayer level, [[Fathom]]</ref>

The system was originally colonized by the colony ship ''[[Odyssey]]'' with the first wave of humanity's extrasolar colonization in [[2362]], landing on Reach.<ref>''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe (2011)'', p. 43</ref> Afterwards, Tribute was colonized on [[2364|August 8, 2364]] when {{CAAShip|Casbah}} arrived and established the initial navigation and communication satellite constellation on the planet, with Circumstance following shortly after.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} By the late 25th century, the system had become home to many of the [[United Nations Space Command|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.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

In [[2552]], the system came under attack by the Covenant. Initially, the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] made landfall on Reach triggering [[WINTER CONTINGENCY (protocol)|WINTER CONTINGENCY]].<ref>''Halo: Reach'', campaign level, [[Winter Contingency]]</ref> Soon after [[Teller Station]] of [[Site 17]] in the system's Oort cloud was attacked by the fleet.<ref>''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]'', [[Scenario Three: Evacuate]]</ref> At the same time as these events, the other colonies of Epsilon Eridani came under assault by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} By August 30, Reach was glassed.<ref>''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', campaign level, [[The Heretic]]</ref><ref>''[[Halo: Reach]]'', campaign level, [[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]</ref> Combat continued on and around Tribute up until around November 2, when Covenant forces began [[Great Schism|attacking one another]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

Between [[2555]] and [[2558]], UNSC [[Central Command|CENTCOM]] for Region One entered into negotiations with [[Covenant remnants]] around Tribute.<ref>''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition]]'', Spartan Locke's Classified Orders</ref>

 

The Epsilon Eridani system is home to at least six planets, two [[asteroid]] belts, and at least one [[Wikipedia:Minor planet|minor planet]]. A massive [[Oort cloud#Epsilon Eridani system|Oort cloud]] is located on the outer edge of the system.<ref>''Halo: First Strike'', p. 232</ref> At least five of the worlds that orbit Epsilon Eridani are known to be inhabited.

*Epsilon Eridani I - Closest planet to the star.{{Ref/Note|Id=DesignationNotName|This planet is only known by its astronomical designation, not its colloquial name. Consequently, this planet may in fact be one of the three planets whose colloquial names are known but whose astrononical designations are not: Beta Gabriel, Circumstance and Tantalus.}}

*[[Reach]] {{C|Epsilon Eridani II}} – The former military center of the UNSC, and the most developed human colony. Glassed in 2552 but at least partially habitable by [[2589]].{{Ref/Reuse|hrlonewolf}}

**[[Turul]] {{C|Epsilon Eridani IIa}} - The smallest of Reach's two moons, with the shorter orbital radius.

**[[Csodaszarvas]] {{C|Epsilon Eridani IIb}} - The larger of Reach's moons, with a longer orbital radius.

*[[Tribute]] {{C|Epsilon Eridani III}} – A major human colony, known for its strong industrial capacity and large population.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', Prologue</ref> Partially glassed during the [[Battle of Tribute]], under UEG control as of [[2558]].

**[[Emese]] {{C|Epsilon Eridani IIIa}} - Tribute's sole natural satellite.

*[[Epsilon Eridani IV]] – Known to be the site of an [[Insurrection]].<ref>''[[Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide]]'', p. 22</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|Group=Note|Id=DesignationNotName}}

*[[Beta Gabriel]] {{C|Unknown orbital position}} – Largely uninhabited, converted into an outdoors resort by wealthy entrepreneurs. Occupied by a [[Jiralhanae|Brute]] [[pack]] during or otherwise soon after the Fall of Reach.<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', p. 324</ref><ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'', "[[Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss]]"</ref>

*[[Circumstance]] {{C|Unknown orbital position}} – A world-famous for its universities and courts of justice. Status unknown.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', p. 62</ref>

*[[Tantalus]] {{C|Unknown orbital position}} – A human colony with an unknown status after the Covenant's siege in the system.<ref>''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', p. 287</ref>