What to watch
- It begins as a compact seven-cell h-like shape.
- It stabilizes after 128 generations.
- Its role as a signal object makes it more important than its short lifespan alone suggests.
Methuselahs
Herschel
A seven-cell methuselah and important signal object in Life circuitry.
The Herschel is both a small methuselah and a reusable engineering object. Many conduits and signal constructions are described by how they transform Herschels.
Herschel is a small methuselah and signal object
Herschel starts with seven cells in a 3 x 4 bounding box and stabilizes after 128 generations. It is also a standard object used to describe Life conduits.
Herschel game of lifeHerschel methuselahHerschel Conway life bounding box
- Category
- Methuselahs
- Period
- Long-lived seed
- Movement
- bounded
- Population
- 7 cells
- Bounding box
- 3 x 4
- Lifespan
- 128 generations
- Known since
- 1970
How to use it
Use it to move from beginner methuselahs into the vocabulary of conduits and engineered Life reactions.
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
Herschel questions people search for
Is Herschel a methuselah?
Yes. Herschel is a seven-cell methuselah with a 3 x 4 bounding box and 128-generation lifespan.
Why is Herschel important in Life engineering?
Many conduits are described by how they accept, delay, turn, or output Herschels, so it is a useful bridge from pattern viewing to Life circuitry.
How is Herschel related to B-heptomino?
A Herschel occurs during the evolution of the B-heptomino, which makes the two patterns natural next experiments.