Constellation: Difference between revisions
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heed the pattern/object distinction here too |
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* An empty space when every [[cell]] died. | * An empty space when every [[cell]] died. | ||
* 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 one or more infinitely growing | * Or one or more [[Infinite growth|regular infinitely growing]] object (such as the [[Gosper glider gun]] or the [[block-laying switch engine]]), possibly with accompanying finite objects. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 14:42, 13 September 2017
- Also see: Stable constellations
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 another such burst of activity is known as ash. The final state of such evolution 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 one or more regular infinitely growing object (such as the Gosper glider gun or the block-laying switch engine), possibly with accompanying finite objects.
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 familiar fours
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)
External links
- Constellation at the Life Lexicon