Beacon: Difference between revisions

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adding D2 diagonal symmetry
Clarify which phase works with boat-bit - see Boat-bit
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The beacon is the simplest [[on-off]]. Its [[rotor]], known as [[diagonal on-off]], can be supported by several different [[stator]]s: the two next-smallest are seen in [[eater plug]], [[mangled 1 beacon]] and [[21P2]].
The beacon is the simplest [[on-off]]. Its [[rotor]], known as [[diagonal on-off]], can be supported by several different [[stator]]s: the two next-smallest are seen in [[eater plug]], [[mangled 1 beacon]] and [[21P2]].


A beacon in the right phase can trigger the [[boat-bit]] reaction.
A beacon in the dense phase can trigger the [[boat-bit]] reaction.


It can, in some sense, be considered a [[billiard table]].<ref name="post78873" />
It can, in some sense, be considered a [[billiard table]].<ref name="post78873" />

Revision as of 16:20, 1 May 2021

Beacon
2o$2o$2b2o$2b2o! #C [[ THUMBSIZE 2 THEME 6 GRID GRIDMAJOR 0 SUPPRESS THUMBLAUNCH ]] #C [[ AUTOSTART ]] #C [[ LOOP 2 GPS 2 THUMBSIZE 2 ]]
Pattern type Oscillator
Oscillator type Babbling brook
Family Beacon
Number of cells 6
Bounding box 4 × 4
Frequency class 8.8
Period 2 (mod: 2)
Heat 2
Volatility 0.25 | 0.25
Kinetic symmetry Unspecified
Rotor type Diagonal on-off
Discovered by John Conway
Year of discovery 1970

The beacon is a common period-2 oscillator, composed of two diagonally touching blocks. It was found by John Conway in March 1970.[1]

The beacon is the simplest on-off. Its rotor, known as diagonal on-off, can be supported by several different stators: the two next-smallest are seen in eater plug, mangled 1 beacon and 21P2.

A beacon in the dense phase can trigger the boat-bit reaction.

It can, in some sense, be considered a billiard table.[2]

The beacon is the third most common oscillator in Achim Flammenkamp's census (after the blinker and toad).[3] It is also the thirteenth most common object on Adam P. Goucher's Catagolue.[4] In D2 diagonal symmetry, it is the eighth most common object, being more common than the tub but less common than the ship.

In other rules

tlife and its related rules have the transition 4q, making beacon an 8-cell still life systematically named "block-tie".

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dean Hickerson's oscillator stamp collection. Retrieved on March 14, 2020.
  2. ↑ Dave Greene (July 3, 2019). Re: Thread for basic questions (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
  3. ↑ Achim Flammenkamp (September 7, 2004). "Most seen natural occurring ash objects in Game of Life". Retrieved on January 15, 2009.
  4. ↑ Adam P. Goucher. "Statistics". Catagolue. Retrieved on June 24, 2016.