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 escaping [[spaceship]]s. Spaceships are frequently considered not a part of the constellation proper. | A [[constellation]] is any [[pattern]] that comprises only simple [[object]]s, such as [[still life]]s, [[oscillator]]s and escaping [[spaceship]]s. Spaceships are frequently considered not a part of the constellation proper. | ||
[[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 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: | 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: | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[ | * {{CategoryLink|Constellations}} | ||
* [[Still life#Constellations]] | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{LinkLexicon|lex_c.htm#constellation}} | * {{LinkLexicon|lex_c.htm#constellation}} | ||
Revision as of 00:31, 14 August 2022
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 haphazard 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 half-bakerys)
See also
- Constellations (category)
- Still life#Constellations
External links
- Constellation at the Life Lexicon