Iridium

This article is about the planet. You may be looking for other uses of Iridium.

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"The so-called power gems were used by the space pirates of Iridium!"

Iridium was a planet in the Atrivis sector of the Outer Rim Territories. It was home to the infamous Pirates of Iridium, who utilized Iridium "power gems" to disable the shields of their victims' starships, raiding Atrivis space lanes for a year. However, a task force of Jedi and Galactic Republic Judicials routed the pirates in a battle over Vuchelle in 22 BBY.

History

"The Judicial Department confirm that a Jedi task force has thrashed the space pirates of Iridium, bringing an end to their year-long raids along the Atrivis sector routes."

―HoloNet News Vol. 531 49^[src]

Iridium pirate — The Pirates of Iridium attack a starship.

Iridium was a planet^[4] located in the Atrivis sector of the Outer Rim Territories. In the years leading up to the pan-galactic Clone Wars, the planet was home to the Pirates of Iridium. The pirates raided the trade routes of the Atrivis sector for a year, taking grain and spice shipments.^[1] The infamous pirates made use of Iridium "power gems," which generated an aura capable of disrupting starship shields. This gave them a significant advantage in their raids,^[4] until they were routed by a force of Jedi Knights and Republic Judiciaries at a battle over the gas giant Vuchelle.^[1]

Inhabitants

During the early years of the Clone Wars, Iridium was inhabited by a pirate group known to include Humans such as Raskar.^[3] They were believed by Republic sources to be working as privateers for the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and made use of Longprow attack cruiser, #2 Warpod pinnaces, and Z-95 Headhunter starfighters; however they were completely routed and dispersed in 22 BBY at Vuchelle.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Iridium was first mentioned in The Power Gem, a weekly comic strip written by Archie Goodwin and illustrated by Al Williamson, published weekly by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate from July to October 1982. The strip never specified Iridium was a planet, only using it as part of the organization known as "the Pirates of Iridium;" however, the Star Wars Encyclopedia later confirmed its status as a planet. The HoloNet News website again referenced the planet in the build-up to the release of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, detailing the destruction of the Pirates first mentioned in the initial comic strip. It was later included in The Essential Atlas.

The name of the planet, "Iridium," appears to be a reference to the real-world element found in meteorites.