Eridanus system

Not to be confused with the Epsilon Eridani System.

The Eridanus System is a planetary system in the Outer Colonies. The system is home to an orange star referred to as Eridanus. One of the many systems with prevalent Insurrectionist activity, it was under UNSC control until 2530 when its main planet, Eridanus II, was glassed by the Covenant.

History

The rebels had staged a localized rebellion against the UNSC in 2494. The UNSC struck back two years later and forced the rebels out at the cost of four destroyers. A large number of rebels survived, however, and under the command of the UNSC turncoat Colonel Robert Watts, overthrew the civilian government of the system in 2513. Watts was presumed killed in the UNSC's counterattack, Operation: TREBUCHET, but in fact he escaped to Eridanus Secundus in the system's asteroid belt with the rest of the rebels. It remained a place of much hostility against the UNSC, as Dr. Catherine Halsey stated many pirates and rebels were operating from the system.

The boy who would become the legendary Master Chief was conscripted here in 2517. In 2525, a group of SPARTAN-IIs led by John-117 entered the system aboard the Destroyer UNSC Pioneer. They boarded the cargo freighter Laden and traveled to the rebel base and captured Watts.

The system's main planet, Eridanus II, was glassed by the Covenant in 2530 and the UNSC abandoned the system. However, the asteroid base survived, and the SPARTANs later returned to the system in 2552 aboard the captured Covenant flagship Ascendant Justice, fleeing from the Battle of Reach to expedite repairs at the Rebel base. However, a Covenant fleet followed and destroyed the base, with only the Ascendant Justice escaping.

Settlements

• Eridanus II
• An unnamed gas giant
• Asteroid belt
  • Eridanus Secundus
  • Station Jefferson

Trivia

• In the real world, there is no star system by the name "Eridanus". However, a constellation called Eridanus exists, and it is likely that this system is located around one of the stars within the constellation. Eridanus System is believed by some fans to be the real-life star Eta Eridani, 121 light years away from Earth. With human ships being able to cross distances of 2.626 light years per day, it would only take 46 days to reach Eta Eridani. Another possible star, also within the constellation, would be 82 Eridani, about 20 light-years from Earth. Much like Eridanus mentioned in the novels, the star is orange in color and is noted as being a possible location for a habitable system.