What to watch
- The initial population is much larger than the classic seven-cell examples.
- It lasts 31,192 generations before stabilizing.
- The final census is 3,602 cells, including 58 escaping gliders.
Methuselahs
Edna
A 149-cell methuselah that pushed automated soup lifespans past 31,000 generations.
Edna is useful as a contrast case: it is still a finite methuselah, but it starts in a 20 x 20 box with 149 cells and runs far longer than beginner examples like the R-pentomino, Acorn, or Diehard.
Edna is an extreme long-lived methuselah
Edna lasts 31,192 generations from a 149-cell seed in a 20 x 20 bounding box. It is not a 3 x 3 methuselah; it shows the far end of the same idea after the smaller R-pentomino, Acorn, and Diehard examples.
Methuselahs149 cells20 x 20 box31,192 generations lifespanfinal: 3,602 cells, including 58 gliders
- Category
- Methuselahs
- Period
- Long-lived seed
- Movement
- bounded
- Population
- 149 cells
- Bounding box
- 20 x 20
- Lifespan
- 31,192 generations
- Final state
- 3,602 cells, including 58 gliders
- Known since
- 2010
How to use it
Use it as a benchmark for the difference between hand-friendly methuselahs and automated long-lived soups.
Open the pattern in the lab, reduce the speed, and use single-step mode when a phase change is hard to see. The green preview marks births in the next generation; red outlines mark live cells that will die.
Fast answers
Common questions about Edna
Is Edna a 3x3 methuselah?
No. Edna starts in a 20 x 20 bounding box with 149 cells. It belongs on the same methuselah learning path because it shows the high-lifespan end of the category.
How long does Edna last?
Edna has a lifespan of 31,192 generations in standard Conway Life.
What is Edna useful for on this site?
It gives a high-lifespan benchmark to compare against small beginner methuselahs such as the R-pentomino, Acorn, and Diehard.