Constellation: Difference between revisions
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{{Glossary}} | {{Glossary}} | ||
A [[constellation]] is any [[pattern]] that comprises only simple [[object]]s, such as [[still life]]s, [[oscillator]]s and [[Escape|escaping]] [[spaceship]]s. Spaceships are frequently considered not a part of the constellation proper. | |||
A constellation that has evolved from a [[soup]], a [[methuselah]], a single [[reaction]] or other such burst of activity is known as '''[[ash]]'''. | |||
[[Image:Rpent_final.png|right|thumb|The constellation that results from the [[R-pentomino]] at generation 1103 has 116 cells]] | [[Image:Rpent_final.png|right|thumb|The constellation that results from the [[R-pentomino]] at generation 1103 has 116 cells]] | ||
A soup is a random input [[pattern]] that can change, move, grow, wither or disappear following the game [[rules]]. Beginning with a chosen pattern or with a soup, the final state is either : | A soup is a random input [[pattern]] that can change, move, grow, wither or disappear following the game [[rules]]. Beginning with a chosen pattern or with a soup, the final state is either : | ||
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* A constellation of [[still life]]s, [[oscillator]]s and diverging [[spaceship]]s. A [[methuselah]]'s lifetime is computed when the number of cells stabilizes as a fixed number, or a periodic one, and no collision may occur. | * A constellation of [[still life]]s, [[oscillator]]s and diverging [[spaceship]]s. A [[methuselah]]'s lifetime is computed when the number of cells stabilizes as a fixed number, or a periodic one, and no collision may occur. | ||
* Or an infinitely growing pattern ([[Gosper glider gun]] which is the simplest case, [[block-laying switch engine]].) | * Or an infinitely growing pattern ([[Gosper glider gun]] which is the simplest case, [[block-laying switch engine]].) | ||
Constellations are named after a night sky's observation, where some stars seem to be grouped hapazard and never move : even a shooting star won't rearrange the overall look. | |||
The counting of resulting patterns in a given constellation offers little more than statistical information. | The counting of resulting patterns in a given constellation offers little more than statistical information. | ||
The [[familiar fours]] are commonly seen (components of) constellations in Life that are made of four identical objects each: | |||
*The [[traffic light]], a constellation of four [[blinker]]s | |||
*The [[honey farm]], a constellation of four [[beehive]]s | |||
*The [[blockade]], a constellation of four [[block]]s | |||
*The [[fleet]], a constellation of four [[ship]]s (or: two [[ship-tie]]s) | |||
*The [[bakery]], a constellation of four [[loaf|loaves]] (or: two [[bi-loaf 1]]s) | |||
Revision as of 11:55, 27 November 2014
A constellation is any pattern that comprises only simple objects, such as still lifes, oscillators and escaping spaceships. Spaceships are frequently considered not a part of the constellation proper.
A constellation that has evolved from a soup, a methuselah, a single reaction or other such burst of activity is known as ash.
A soup is a random input pattern that can change, move, grow, wither or disappear following the game rules. Beginning with a chosen pattern or with a soup, the final state is either :
- An empty space when every cell died.
- A constellation of still lifes, oscillators and diverging spaceships. A methuselah's lifetime is computed when the number of cells stabilizes as a fixed number, or a periodic one, and no collision may occur.
- Or an infinitely growing pattern (Gosper glider gun which is the simplest case, block-laying switch engine.)
Constellations are named after a night sky's observation, where some stars seem to be grouped hapazard and never move : even a shooting star won't rearrange the overall look.
The counting of resulting patterns in a given constellation offers little more than statistical information.
The familiar fours are commonly seen (components of) constellations in Life that are made of four identical objects each:
- The traffic light, a constellation of four blinkers
- The honey farm, a constellation of four beehives
- The blockade, a constellation of four blocks
- The fleet, a constellation of four ships (or: two ship-ties)
- The bakery, a constellation of four loaves (or: two bi-loaf 1s)