diff --git a/DECISIONS.md b/DECISIONS.md
index fcf0c83..b783929 100644
--- a/DECISIONS.md
+++ b/DECISIONS.md
@@ -1526,3 +1526,9 @@ Implementation decisions not spelled out in `memory-bank/implementation-plan.md`
 - **The manifest declares how many rocks the sheet holds** (`pieces: 6`), and the script checks it: the loader needs to know the file names without reading the folder, and a changed sheet then fails loudly instead of silently loading the wrong set.
 - **Slicing uses alpha ≥ 16 and drops everything else around a rock**: the user's rocks have a soft glow that reaches toward their neighbours; below 16/255 it is invisible on the map, and keeping it would put slivers of other rocks' glow in each sprite.
 - **Rocks are exported at 64 and 128 px** (the CR's sizes), named `belt-rocks-<n>@1x/@2x`, in reading order of the sheet.
+
+## Step 16.6
+
+- **The haze mesh lives in map units**: the map's screen transform is a uniform scale plus an offset, so the ring is built once and the camera only moves and scales it, instead of rebuilding 512 vertices every frame.
+- **The generated strip is seeded and small (1024 × 64)**: it is stretched around the ring, so detail beyond that is invisible, and a seed keeps the belt identical between visits.
+- **Review screenshots now come from a Playwright script against the test build** (reach the deal, discover everything with the developer tool, open the map at 1280 × 800 and 390 × 844), since the server-era setup that took the earlier ones is gone.
diff --git a/apps/web/src/map/belt.ts b/apps/web/src/map/belt.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa3f7ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/src/map/belt.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+import { createRng } from "@deadhead/sim";
+import { pixelsPerUnit, toScreen, type Camera, type Viewport } from "./camera";
+import { radialScale, type MapPoint } from "./projection";
+import { mapStyle, type MapStyle } from "./style";
+
+/**
+ * The asteroid belt (CR-016 §5, decision 0.5.104): a static band between two
+ * radii from the Sun, on the map's compressed radial scale. Visual only.
+ */
+
+/** The belt's inner and outer edges in map units (the map's compressed scale). */
+export function beltMapRadii(style: MapStyle = mapStyle): { inner: number; outer: number } {
+  return {
+    inner: radialScale(style.belt.innerMillionKm),
+    outer: radialScale(style.belt.outerMillionKm),
+  };
+}
+
+/** Where the belt is on screen: its centre (the Sun) and edge radii in px. */
+export function beltScreenRadii(
+  view: Viewport,
+  camera: Camera,
+  style: MapStyle = mapStyle,
+): { center: MapPoint; inner: number; outer: number } {
+  const k = pixelsPerUnit(view, camera);
+  const { inner, outer } = beltMapRadii(style);
+  return { center: toScreen({ x: 0, y: 0 }, view, camera), inner: inner * k, outer: outer * k };
+}
+
+export interface RingGeometry {
+  /** x, y per vertex, in the radii's units, centred on 0. */
+  positions: Float32Array;
+  /** u around the ring (0 → 1), v from the inner edge (0) to the outer edge (1). */
+  uvs: Float32Array;
+  indices: Uint32Array;
+}
+
+/**
+ * A ring of `segments` quads between two radii, with a horizontal strip
+ * texture wrapped around it: the strip's width runs once around the circle and
+ * its height from the inner edge to the outer edge (CR-016 §5).
+ */
+export function ringGeometry(inner: number, outer: number, segments: number): RingGeometry {
+  const columns = segments + 1;
+  const positions = new Float32Array(columns * 2 * 2);
+  const uvs = new Float32Array(columns * 2 * 2);
+  for (let i = 0; i < columns; i++) {
+    const u = i / segments;
+    const angle = u * Math.PI * 2;
+    const [cos, sin] = [Math.cos(angle), Math.sin(angle)];
+    // Two vertices per column: inner (v = 0), then outer (v = 1).
+    positions.set([cos * inner, sin * inner, cos * outer, sin * outer], i * 4);
+    uvs.set([u, 0, u, 1], i * 4);
+  }
+  const indices = new Uint32Array(segments * 6);
+  for (let i = 0; i < segments; i++) {
+    const [a, b, c, d] = [i * 2, i * 2 + 1, i * 2 + 2, i * 2 + 3];
+    indices.set([a, b, c, b, d, c], i * 6);
+  }
+  return { positions, uvs, indices };
+}
+
+/**
+ * The haze strip drawn in code until the user provides `belt-haze.png` (CR-016
+ * §5): a faint warm-grey band, fading to transparent at the top and bottom,
+ * with soft noise and thousands of one- or two-pixel specks for distant
+ * asteroids. Seamless left to right, so it wraps into a ring. RGBA, row-major.
+ */
+export function hazeStripPixels(width: number, height: number, seed: number): Uint8Array {
+  const pixels = new Uint8Array(width * height * 4);
+  const rng = createRng(seed);
+  const [r, g, b] = [196, 184, 168];
+  // Noise built from whole waves around the strip, so the left and right edges meet.
+  const waves = Array.from({ length: 6 }, (_, i) => ({
+    cycles: [3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34][i]!,
+    phase: rng.next() * Math.PI * 2,
+    amplitude: 1 / (i + 2),
+  }));
+  const noise = (x: number) =>
+    waves.reduce(
+      (sum, w) => sum + w.amplitude * Math.sin((x / width) * w.cycles * Math.PI * 2 + w.phase),
+      0,
+    );
+  for (let y = 0; y < height; y++) {
+    // Densest along the middle, fully transparent at the top and bottom rows.
+    const band = Math.sin((Math.PI * (y + 0.5)) / height) ** 2;
+    for (let x = 0; x < width; x++) {
+      const alpha = band * (0.55 + 0.2 * noise(x)) * 255;
+      const i = (y * width + x) * 4;
+      pixels.set([r, g, b, Math.max(0, Math.min(255, Math.round(alpha)))], i);
+    }
+  }
+  // Tiny distant asteroids: brighter specks, fewer toward the edges.
+  const specks = Math.round((width * height) / 40);
+  for (let n = 0; n < specks; n++) {
+    const x = Math.floor(rng.next() * width);
+    const y = Math.floor(rng.next() * height);
+    const band = Math.sin((Math.PI * (y + 0.5)) / height) ** 2;
+    if (rng.next() > band) continue;
+    const size = rng.next() < 0.25 ? 2 : 1;
+    const light = 150 + Math.floor(rng.next() * 90);
+    for (let dy = 0; dy < size; dy++) {
+      for (let dx = 0; dx < size; dx++) {
+        const px = (x + dx) % width;
+        const py = Math.min(height - 1, y + dy);
+        pixels.set([light, light - 8, light - 20, 255], (py * width + px) * 4);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return pixels;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Where the haze texture comes from (CR-016 §5): the user's `belt-haze.png`
+ * when it loaded, otherwise the strip drawn in code from the map style.
+ */
+export function hazeSource<T>(
+  textures: ReadonlyMap<string, T>,
+  style: MapStyle = mapStyle,
+):
+  | { kind: "file"; texture: T }
+  | { kind: "generated"; width: number; height: number; pixels: Uint8Array } {
+  const provided = textures.get("belt-haze");
+  if (provided) return { kind: "file", texture: provided };
+  const { width, height } = style.belt.hazeStrip;
+  return {
+    kind: "generated",
+    width,
+    height,
+    pixels: hazeStripPixels(width, height, style.belt.seed),
+  };
+}
diff --git a/apps/web/src/map/camera.ts b/apps/web/src/map/camera.ts
index f9ede55..3c3ba14 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/map/camera.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/map/camera.ts
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export function resetMapView(): void {
 }
 
 /** Pixels per map unit at this zoom. */
-function pixelsPerUnit(viewport: Viewport, camera: Camera): number {
+export function pixelsPerUnit(viewport: Viewport, camera: Camera): number {
   return (Math.min(viewport.width, viewport.height) / 2) * FIT * camera.zoom;
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/map/renderer.ts b/apps/web/src/map/renderer.ts
index 09ca9a0..0f9f6ed 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/map/renderer.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/map/renderer.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,17 @@
-import { ColorMatrixFilter, Container, Graphics, Sprite, Text, type Texture } from "pixi.js";
+import {
+  BufferImageSource,
+  ColorMatrixFilter,
+  Container,
+  Graphics,
+  MeshSimple,
+  Sprite,
+  Text,
+  Texture,
+} from "pixi.js";
+import { beltMapRadii, hazeSource, ringGeometry } from "./belt";
 import type { ArtTextures } from "./art/load";
 import { sceneVisuals, type Visual } from "./art/visuals";
-import { toScreen, type Camera, type Viewport } from "./camera";
+import { pixelsPerUnit, toScreen, type Camera, type Viewport } from "./camera";
 import { reducedMotionOn, usePreferences } from "../state/preferences";
 import { backgroundRect, decorate, layoutScene, mapMotionStyle, polar } from "./layout";
 import type { MapSelection } from "./hitTest";
@@ -56,6 +66,33 @@ function drawHq(g: Graphics, at: MapPoint, size: number) {
     .stroke({ width: 1, color: colors.labelHalo });
 }
 
+/**
+ * The haze texture (CR-016 §5): the user's `belt-haze.png` when it is there,
+ * otherwise the strip drawn in code. Either way, no warning beyond the art
+ * loader's own for a missing file.
+ */
+function hazeTexture(textures: ArtTextures<Texture>): Texture {
+  const source = hazeSource(textures);
+  if (source.kind === "file") return source.texture;
+  const { pixels: resource, width, height } = source;
+  return new Texture({ source: new BufferImageSource({ resource, width, height }) });
+}
+
+/** The haze ring mesh, built once in map units; not interactive (taps pass through). */
+function beltHaze(textures: ArtTextures<Texture>): MeshSimple {
+  const { inner, outer } = beltMapRadii();
+  const ring = ringGeometry(inner, outer, mapStyle.belt.segments);
+  const mesh = new MeshSimple({
+    texture: hazeTexture(textures),
+    vertices: ring.positions,
+    uvs: ring.uvs,
+    indices: ring.indices,
+  });
+  mesh.alpha = mapStyle.belt.hazeAlpha;
+  mesh.eventMode = "none";
+  return mesh;
+}
+
 /**
  * Draws the map with PixiJS (Steps 10.1–10.2, CR-003). Positions and sizes come
  * from `layoutScene`; sprites and text are created once per item and updated
@@ -65,6 +102,8 @@ export class MapRenderer {
   /** Non-tiled, parallax background (decision 0.5.40); absent if its art is missing. */
   private readonly background: Sprite | null;
   private readonly orbits = new Graphics();
+  /** The asteroid belt's haze (CR-016 §5): one mesh in map units, moved and scaled each frame. */
+  private readonly haze: MeshSimple;
   private readonly routes = new Graphics();
   private readonly bodies = new Container();
   private readonly ships = new Container();
@@ -84,7 +123,16 @@ export class MapRenderer {
     const bg = textures.get("bg");
     this.background = bg ? new Sprite({ texture: bg }) : null;
     if (this.background) stage.addChild(this.background);
-    stage.addChild(this.orbits, this.routes, this.bodies, this.ships, this.overlay, this.texts);
+    this.haze = beltHaze(textures);
+    stage.addChild(
+      this.orbits,
+      this.haze,
+      this.routes,
+      this.bodies,
+      this.ships,
+      this.overlay,
+      this.texts,
+    );
   }
 
   /** A sprite for `key`, created on first use; hidden until positioned this frame. */
@@ -143,6 +191,10 @@ export class MapRenderer {
       this.background.setSize(r.width, r.height);
     }
 
+    // The belt is fixed in map units; only the camera moves it (decision 0.5.104).
+    this.haze.position.set(sun.x, sun.y);
+    this.haze.scale.set(pixelsPerUnit(view, camera));
+
     this.orbits.clear();
     this.routes.clear();
     this.overlay.clear();
diff --git a/apps/web/src/map/style.ts b/apps/web/src/map/style.ts
index db13fb3..594c674 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/map/style.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/map/style.ts
@@ -49,6 +49,25 @@ export const mapStyleSchema = z
     label: z.object({ fontSizePx: px, gapPx: z.number().min(0), haloPx: z.number().min(0) }),
     /** Gap kept between in-flight ships that would otherwise overlap (Step 10C.8). */
     shipSeparationPx: px,
+    /**
+     * The asteroid belt (CR-016 §5, decision 0.5.104): a band between two real
+     * distances from the Sun, drawn on the map's compressed scale. Visual only.
+     */
+    belt: z.object({
+      innerMillionKm: px,
+      outerMillionKm: px,
+      /** Opacity of the haze ring under the rocks. */
+      hazeAlpha: z.number().min(0).max(1),
+      /** Quads around the ring: enough that its edges read as circles. */
+      segments: z.number().int().min(16),
+      /** Size of the haze strip drawn in code when `belt-haze.png` is missing (px). */
+      hazeStrip: z.object({
+        width: z.number().int().positive(),
+        height: z.number().int().positive(),
+      }),
+      /** Seed for the generated haze, so it looks the same every time. */
+      seed: z.number().int().nonnegative(),
+    }),
     colors: z.object({
       background: color,
       orbit: color,
@@ -68,6 +87,10 @@ export const mapStyleSchema = z
       sun: color,
     }),
   })
+  .refine((s) => s.belt.innerMillionKm < s.belt.outerMillionKm, {
+    message: "belt.innerMillionKm must be inside belt.outerMillionKm",
+    path: ["belt"],
+  })
   .refine((s) => s.spriteScale.min <= s.spriteScale.max, {
     message: "spriteScale.min must not exceed spriteScale.max",
     path: ["spriteScale"],
@@ -98,6 +121,15 @@ export const mapStyle: MapStyle = mapStyleSchema.parse({
   backgroundZoomFollow: 0.05,
   label: { fontSizePx: 11, gapPx: 4, haloPx: 3 },
   shipSeparationPx: 44,
+  // The real main belt, between Mars and Jupiter, with Ceres inside it (CR-016 §5).
+  belt: {
+    innerMillionKm: 314,
+    outerMillionKm: 494,
+    hazeAlpha: 0.35,
+    segments: 256,
+    hazeStrip: { width: 1024, height: 64 },
+    seed: 20_260_101,
+  },
   colors: {
     background: 0x020617,
     orbit: 0x94a3b8,
diff --git a/apps/web/test/belt-haze.test.ts b/apps/web/test/belt-haze.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..feddea4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/test/belt-haze.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import {
+  beltScreenRadii,
+  hazeSource,
+  hazeStripPixels,
+  ringGeometry,
+  beltMapRadii,
+} from "../src/map/belt";
+import { MAX_ZOOM, MIN_ZOOM, toScreen } from "../src/map/camera";
+import { radialScale } from "../src/map/projection";
+import { mapStyle } from "../src/map/style";
+
+const view = { width: 1280, height: 720 };
+
+/** Screen distance from the Sun of a point `millionKm` out on the compressed scale. */
+function screenRadius(millionKm: number, camera: { zoom: number; panX: number; panY: number }) {
+  const sun = toScreen({ x: 0, y: 0 }, view, camera);
+  const edge = toScreen({ x: radialScale(millionKm), y: 0 }, view, camera);
+  return Math.hypot(edge.x - sun.x, edge.y - sun.y);
+}
+
+describe("the belt's haze (Step 16.6, decision 0.5.104)", () => {
+  it("sits between the compressed-scale screen radii of 314M and 494M km at any zoom", () => {
+    for (const zoom of [MIN_ZOOM, 0.75, 1, 3, MAX_ZOOM]) {
+      const camera = { zoom, panX: 40, panY: -25 };
+      const { center, inner, outer } = beltScreenRadii(view, camera);
+      expect(center).toEqual(toScreen({ x: 0, y: 0 }, view, camera));
+      expect(inner).toBeCloseTo(screenRadius(314, camera), 6);
+      expect(outer).toBeCloseTo(screenRadius(494, camera), 6);
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("builds the ring mesh exactly on those radii, with the strip wrapped once around", () => {
+    const { inner, outer } = beltMapRadii();
+    const ring = ringGeometry(inner, outer, 64);
+    for (let v = 0; v < ring.positions.length / 2; v++) {
+      const r = Math.hypot(ring.positions[v * 2]!, ring.positions[v * 2 + 1]!);
+      // Even vertices are the inner edge (v = 0), odd ones the outer edge (v = 1).
+      // Float32 vertices: equal to about 7 significant digits.
+      expect(r).toBeCloseTo(v % 2 === 0 ? inner : outer, 6);
+      expect(ring.uvs[v * 2 + 1]).toBe(v % 2 === 0 ? 0 : 1);
+    }
+    // u runs 0 → 1 around the circle, closing the seam where it started.
+    expect(ring.uvs[0]).toBe(0);
+    expect(ring.uvs[ring.uvs.length - 2]).toBe(1);
+    expect(ring.indices).toHaveLength(64 * 6);
+  });
+
+  it("draws its own haze strip, seamless and fading out at the edges, when no file is given", () => {
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, "warn").mockImplementation(() => undefined);
+    const source = hazeSource(new Map<string, string>());
+    expect(source.kind).toBe("generated");
+    expect(warn).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    warn.mockRestore();
+    if (source.kind !== "generated") return;
+    const { width, height, pixels } = source;
+    expect([width, height]).toEqual([
+      mapStyle.belt.hazeStrip.width,
+      mapStyle.belt.hazeStrip.height,
+    ]);
+    const alpha = (x: number, y: number) => pixels[(y * width + x) * 4 + 3]!;
+    const rowMean = (y: number) =>
+      Array.from({ length: width }, (_, x) => alpha(x, y)).reduce((a, b) => a + b, 0) / width;
+    // Densest in the middle, nearly transparent along the top and bottom rows.
+    expect(rowMean(0)).toBeLessThan(rowMean(height / 2) * 0.05);
+    expect(rowMean(height - 1)).toBeLessThan(rowMean(height / 2) * 0.05);
+    // The left and right edges meet: a ring shows no seam.
+    let seam = 0;
+    for (let y = 0; y < height; y++) seam += Math.abs(alpha(0, y) - alpha(width - 1, y));
+    expect(seam / height).toBeLessThan(12);
+  });
+
+  it("draws the same haze every time, and uses the user's file when there is one", () => {
+    expect(hazeStripPixels(256, 32, 7)).toEqual(hazeStripPixels(256, 32, 7));
+    const file = { name: "belt-haze texture" };
+    expect(hazeSource(new Map([["belt-haze", file]]))).toEqual({ kind: "file", texture: file });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/docs/screenshots/16-6-belt-haze-desktop.png b/docs/screenshots/16-6-belt-haze-desktop.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f6beac
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/screenshots/16-6-belt-haze-desktop.png differ
diff --git a/docs/screenshots/16-6-belt-haze-phone.png b/docs/screenshots/16-6-belt-haze-phone.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d315099
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/screenshots/16-6-belt-haze-phone.png differ
diff --git a/memory-bank/progress.md b/memory-bank/progress.md
index 03a30df..b1bd9eb 100644
--- a/memory-bank/progress.md
+++ b/memory-bank/progress.md
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ Spec: `memory-bank/change-requests/CR-016-venus-io-europa-belt.md` (received as
 - [x] **Step 16.3 — Content tuning: reach.** No tuning needed: with Phase 15's tanks every cell of CR-015 §4 and of CR-016 §3 already holds (Clipper ≈ 252M km reaches Venus at ≈ 200 but not Mars from Venus at ≈ 332; Freighter ≈ 460 reaches Mars from Venus and Io/Europa from Ceres at ≈ 393 but not Ceres from Venus at ≈ 520, nor Io from Mars at ≈ 592 × 1.15 short; Bulk Hauler ≈ 1,251 covers Venus–Jupiter at ≈ 885). Tests (`reach-table.test.ts`, CR-016 §3): one test per new cell (the Jupiter-system loop for Courier, Lighter, Clipper and Freighter; Earth↔Venus and Moon→Venus for Clipper and Freighter, not Courier or Lighter; Venus→Mars only from the Freighter up; Ceres↔Io/Europa for the Freighter; nothing from the inner system to the Jupiter system short of the Bulk Hauler, which flies every leg between all eight); the Bulk Hauler's full-tank reach ≥ 900M km; a Courier at the platform flies to Io and Europa and back without stranding. The no-strand test already covers every leg between all eight places.
 - [x] **Step 16.4 — Engine: save migration and boards.** No save migration and no save-version change: the save lists only discovered places, so a place that is in content but not in that list is undiscovered, and a save from before CR-016 opens with the three new places undiscovered and nothing else changed. Boards needed no change either: first contacts and fit slots already draw from undiscovered places in reach. Tests (`packages/engine/test/new-places.test.ts`): a pre-CR-016 save imported through the engine shows eight places with Venus, Io and Europa undiscovered, and its save version, discoveries and company are unchanged; 200 Earth boards for the deal's Clipper and veteran include first contacts to Venus; a Clipper delivering a first contact to Venus discovers it (the logbook says so) and Venus then has its own board, every contract on it a good made at Venus.
 - [x] **Step 16.5 — Assets: sprites and belt rocks.** (The Venus, Io and Europa sprites came in 16.1.) Two new art kinds: `rocks` (a sheet of separate sprites; the manifest's `belt-rocks` entry names `belt-asteroids.png` and says it holds `pieces: 6`) and `strip` (`belt-haze`, file `null` until the user provides one). `scripts/slice.mjs`: `findRegions` labels connected regions of pixels with alpha ≥ 16 (fainter glow and specks under 0.2 % of the sheet are dropped) in reading order; `sliceSheet` cuts each region out with every other pixel cleared, so a neighbour's glow never comes along. `map-art.mjs` writes `belt-rocks-1` … `belt-rocks-6` at 64 and 128 px (long side) and refuses a sheet whose piece count doesn't match the manifest; a haze strip would be kept within 4096 × 256. The loader registers each rock piece and the strip. The source image is only read. Tests: `apps/web/test/map-art.test.ts` (a fixture sheet with three separate squares and faint bridging glow slices into exactly three sprites, trimmed, in reading order; one square gives one; no faint glow survives in a piece; the real sheet's six pieces are written at the right sizes, deterministically and matching the committed output; the transparency check covers the belt image).
-- [ ] Step 16.6 — Map: belt haze
+- [x] **Step 16.6 — Map: belt haze.** `src/map/belt.ts`: `beltMapRadii`/`beltScreenRadii` (the band between 314M and 494M km on the compressed radial scale), `ringGeometry` (quads around the ring; the strip's width wraps once around, its height runs inner → outer edge), `hazeStripPixels` (the strip drawn in code: a faint warm-grey band fading to transparent at top and bottom, seamless noise, thousands of one- or two-pixel specks; seeded so it is the same every time) and `hazeSource` (`belt-haze.png` when it loaded, else the generated strip). The renderer builds the haze mesh once in map units and only moves and scales it with the camera, at 35 % opacity, above the orbit rings and below routes, bodies and ships; it takes no input. Map style gains `belt` (radii, haze opacity, segments, strip size, seed). Tests (`apps/web/test/belt-haze.test.ts`): the ring's screen radii equal those of 314M and 494M km at five zooms; the mesh vertices lie exactly on the two radii with u wrapping 0 → 1 and v inner 0, outer 1; with no haze file the strip is generated without any warning, fades to under 5 % at its edges and has no visible seam; the strip is the same every time and a provided file wins. Screenshots: `docs/screenshots/16-6-belt-haze-desktop.png`, `…-phone.png` (taken from the test build after the deal with every place discovered; the crowded Jupiter-system labels are Step 16.8's).
 - [ ] Step 16.7 — Map: belt rocks
 - [ ] Step 16.8 — Map: new bodies and Jupiter-system layout
 - [ ] Step 16.9 — Plan amendments and regression