Reflector_(cellular_automaton)

Reflector (cellular automaton)

Reflector (cellular automaton)

Type of pattern that can redirect a stream of incoming spaceships

In cellular automata such as Conway's Game of Life, a reflector is a pattern that can interact with a spaceship to change its direction of motion, without damage to the reflector pattern. In Life, many oscillators can reflect the glider; there also exist stable reflectors composed of still life patterns that, when they interact with a glider, reflect the glider and return to their stable state.

Oscillators of varying periods that double as glider reflectors highlighted in pink. Click to view animation.


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