Thunderbird

	Thunderbird
	<a href="/wiki/File:Thunderbird.png" class="image" title="Thunderbird image"><img alt="Thunderbird image" src="/w/images/3/3d/Thunderbird.png" decoding="async" width="81" height="113" /></a>
	<a href="/wiki/File:Thunderbird.png" class="image" title="Thunderbird image"><img alt="Thunderbird image" src="/w/images/3/3d/Thunderbird.png" decoding="async" width="81" height="113" /></a>
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Pattern type	Methuselah
Number of cells	6
Bounding box	3 × 5
MCPS	7
Lifespan	243 generations
Final population	46
L/I	40.5
F/I	7.7
F/L	0.189
L/MCPS	34.7
Static symmetry	Unspecified
Discovered by	Hugh Thompson
Year of discovery	1971
Glider synthesis
Fewest gliders	3
Uploaded synthesis RLE	thunderbird_synth.rle
Pattern files
Plaintext	thunderbird.cells
RLE	thunderbird.rle

Thunderbird is a methuselah that stabilizes after 243 generations.^[1] It was discovered by Hugh Thompson in 1971 during his investigation of six-bit patterns.^[2] Its stable pattern has 46 cells and consists of four blinkers, four beehives and two boats.

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↑ Gardner, M. (1983). "The Game of Life, Parts I-III". Wheels, Life and Other Mathematical Amusements: 246, W.H. Freeman.
↑ Robert Wainwright (December 1971). Lifeline, vol 4, page 5.