This artist’s impression illustrates the mechanism that could be at the origin of the powerful bursts of X-ray light seen from a newly awakened black hole named Ansky. Credit: ESA Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 A black hole is a terrifying concept, but the mysterious nexus of physics and space-time isn’t always gobbling up matter. While famous for devouring anything and everything in its gravitational pull, black holes aren’t constantly destructive. In fact, they often exhibit long periods of dormancy. Astronomers had never witnessed a black hole “wake up” in real time—until now. Researchers have spent the past few years watching a black hole re-awaken roughly 300 million light-years away from Earth. And what they’ve documented challenges prevailing theories about black hole lifecycles. The groundbreaking observations are detailed in a study published on April 11 in Nature Astronomy.  For decades, the supermassive black hole anchoring a galaxy known as SDSS1335+0728 in the Virgo constellation hasn’t displayed much activity. But beginning in late 2019, astronomers noticed it began to emit intermittent, bright flashes of energy. They soon reclassified the galaxy’s center as an active galactic nucleus nicknamed “Ansky,” and enlisted telescopes from NASA and the ESA to help study the unexpected event. An artist’s impression of a stellar-mass black hole similar to the one inside Ansky. Credit: European Space Agency, NASA and Felix Mirabel (the French Atomic Energy Commission & the Institute for Astronomy and Space Physics/Conicet of Argentina) European Space Agency, NASA and Felix Mirabel (the French Atomic Energy Commission & the Institute for Astronomy and Space Physics/Conicet of Argentina) “When we first saw Ansky light up in optical images, we triggered follow-up observations using NASA’s Swift X-ray space telescope, and we checked archived data from the eROSITA X-ray telescope, but at the time we didn’t see any evidence of X-ray emissions,” Paula Sánchez Sáez, a researcher at the European Southern Observatory in Germany and lead researcher of the first team to study Ansky, said in a statement. Fast forward to February 2024 when Lorena Hernández-García at Chile’s Valparaiso University began detecting even more regular X-ray bursts from Ansky. The rare events allowed astronomers to once again aim their tools like the XMM-Newton X-ray space telescope and NASA’s Chandra, NICER, and Swift telescopes at Ansky. Hernández-García and collaborators then determined the black hole was displaying a phenomenon known as a quasiperiodic eruption, or QPE.   “QPEs are short-lived flaring events. And this is the first time we have observed such an event in a black hole that seems to be waking up,” said Hernández-García. XMM-Newton proved particularly critical to studying Ansky’s behavior, since it is the only telescope sensitive enough to capture fainter background X-ray light amid the black hole’s stronger X-ray bursts. By comparing the two phases, astronomers could calculate the amount of energy released by Ansky during its more active periods. ESA’s Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission is the first space-based observatory dedicated to detecting ripples in the fabric of spacetime. Credit: ESA  While a black hole inevitably destroys everything it captures, objects behave differently during their impending demise. A star, for example, generally stretches apart into a bright, hot, fast-spinning disc known as an accretion disc. Most astronomers have theorized that black holes generate QPEs when a comparatively small object like a star or even a smaller black hole collides with an accretion disc. In the case of Ansky, however, there isn’t any evidence linking it to the death of a star. “The bursts of X-rays from Ansky are ten times longer and ten times more luminous than what we see from a typical QPE,” said MIT PhD student and study co-author Joheen Chakraborty. “Each of these eruptions is releasing a hundred times more energy than we have seen elsewhere. Ansky’s eruptions also show the longest cadence ever observed, of about 4.5 days.” Astronomers must now consider other explanations for Ansky’s remarkable behavior. One theory posits that the accretion disc could come from nearby galactic gas pulled in by the black hole instead of a star. If true, then the X-rays may originate from high energy shocks to the disc caused by a small cosmic object repeatedly passing through and disrupting orbital matter. As it stands, astronomers possess more QPE models than data from actual events. Thanks to Ansky’s reawakening, that may soon change. “We don’t yet understand what causes them,” said Hernández-García. “Studying Ansky will help us to better understand black holes and how they evolve.”

Nature, Published online: 11 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01192-yA host of legal claims aim to roll back the Trump administration’s grant terminations, indirect-cost cap and more.

Physicists have set a new upper limit on the mass of neutrinos. And the finding could poke a big hole in the Standard Model of particle physics.

Dr. Lee— April 2025Continue reading on Medium »

News Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Offers Native 4K and Advanced Ray Tracing on PS5 Pro The action-adventure title will also deliver "higher and more consistent frame rates" on PS5 Pro when it launches on April 17th. Posted By Ravi Sinha | On 11th, Apr. 2025 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle finally arrives on PS5 next week, and in a new PlayStation Blog post, production director John Jennings outlines what players can look forward to. For instance, the action-adventure title supports DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers and the Lightbar, which changes colors depending on the situation. Other notable benefits include SSD optimization for “a seamless experience with faster streaming and loading.” It utilizes the console’s “advanced CPU and GPU capabilities” to deliver 60 FPS at a “high-quality resolution” with ray-traced global illumination. As for PS5 Pro support, the Great Circle promises native 4K and “advanced” ray tracing on the console alongside “higher and more consistent frame rates.” How this will compare to the Xbox Series X version should be interesting, so stay tuned for more details. If that wasn’t enough, PS5 players can leverage Community Game Help and obtain tips for completing certain sections. This includes support for Activities with different objectives outlined. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launches on April 17th for PS5, with Premium Edition owners receiving two days early access. Head here for more details and check out our review of the Xbox version. Tagged With: Atomfall Publisher:Rebellion Developments Developer:Rebellion Developments Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView More Monster Hunter Wilds Publisher:Capcom Developer:Capcom Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PCView More South of Midnight Publisher:Microsoft Developer:Compulsion Games Platforms:Xbox Series X, PCView More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Nintendo Switch 2 Cost Might Go Up by $50 to $100 Depending on Tariffs – Analyst The analysts also believe that, if the US tariffs on Vietnam stay at 10 percent, Nintendo might decide to just... Nintendo Can Get Away With Raising Prices Because of Exclusives – Former PlayStation Boss Shawn Layden believes that the quality of Nintendo exclusives like Mario and Donkey Kong allows the company to... Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Offers Native 4K and Advanced Ray Tracing on PS5 Pro The action-adventure title will also deliver "higher and more consistent frame rates" on PS5 Pro when it launc... La Quimera Takes 5 Hours to Finish, Doesn’t Feature Metro Exodus-Style World The developers behind La Quimera want to focus on the game offering a tight, narrative experience by sticking ... Marathon Will Not Require PlayStation Accounts on PC and Xbox Bungie made the announcement in light of several Sony-owned studios releasing games on PC that need PlayStatio... Katana ZERO DLC is “Finally Nearing Completion” as New Teaser Debuts The free DLC delves into Zero's "murky past" and offers trippy new story content, characters, levels, and game... View More

Silvergun-Blue Member Oct 26, 2017 10,791 We've all heard classics like Dire Dire Docks from Mario 64 and Go Straight From Streets of Rage 2. Even Pictionary and Silver Surfer from the NES. So what about stuff you feel you never see in soundtrack threads? I'll kick it off with an absolute banger from Guardian Heroes on the Sega Saturn. This game did actually see a re-release on Xbox 360 LIve Arcade thankfully so it's not stuck on Sega's ill fated machine. If you've seen it before on Era, it was probably posted by me! 😁 I could post plenty of tracks from this game tbh. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDvMi7zqcfI  Mr Evil 37 Member Mar 7, 2022 25,872 NESpowerhouse Member Oct 25, 2017 9,616 Virginia CO_Andy Member Oct 25, 2017 2,870 Desma "This guy are sick" Member Oct 27, 2017 6,656 Mauricio_Magus Member Oct 25, 2017 15,502 I could post all of the ZeroRanger/Void Stranger OSTs in here I guess because these games are pretty niche, I'll post one of my favorite songs of each game but the entire soundtracks and the games are as good as it gets. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlHKKdtLuqo View: https://youtu.be/SONQTu9QHGA?si=ParXzUhdxey0DEKN   Vulcano's Assistant Member Oct 29, 2017 15,107 CabooseMiller Member Apr 3, 2021 188 ImaPlayThis Member Oct 26, 2017 3,923 I feel like I may be sorely mistaken as there's a lot of, at least former, wrestling fans View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW3wUOShOsY   BakedTanooki Member Oct 27, 2017 3,088 Germany DECK’ARD Creator of Worms Verified Nov 26, 2017 7,001 UK Crazy Comets on the C64. One of Rob Hubbard's early tunes. The maestro of 8-bit music.  Jetsun Mila Banned Apr 7, 2021 3,912 SevenInchScrew Member Jun 9, 2023 619 Destiny 1 Rise of Iron OST Track 22 Sepiks Redux A fan made remaster of the original Boss fight music from base D1. The song was so great, when the 'Rise of Iron' expansion came out, and the boss was 'revived' during the story, Bungie worked with the artist, and used their remix for the new Boss fight. It's still in D2 now, when you do the strike on Grand Master difficulty. 1:14:20 if the link doesn't already load there.... View: https://youtu.be/PfrtX-foWUA?feature=shared&t=4460 The original, for reference. Starts at 58:00 if the link doesn't start there.... View: https://youtu.be/O45XwvT9Fu4?feature=shared&t=3480  TissueBox Member Oct 25, 2017 12,257 Urinated States of America Do you guys like piano? Say no more: View: https://youtu.be/hVj5s-ScTIo?si=gVH1H9M2It94AF7u From Yomawari: Lost in the Dark.  EvaIkari Member Jan 10, 2025 160 I love this track so much. It's very soothing for when I'm stressed and helps me relax. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYfE_yURWMg   Vanguard Member Jan 15, 2025 350 Banger, and this is also the best version of this song.  OP OP Silvergun-Blue Member Oct 26, 2017 10,791 I adore the sounds you get from this hardware. ImaPlayThis said: I feel like I may be sorely mistaken as there's a lot of, at least former, wrestling fans View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW3wUOShOsY Click to expand... Click to shrink... There's a particular vibe in a lot of the PS1 era stuff that you just don't get any more.  DECK’ARD Creator of Worms Verified Nov 26, 2017 7,001 UK Hired Guns on the Amiga. Still sounds fantastic today, and remember the sound chip Paula was from 1985! Incredible stuff.  Last edited: Mar 29, 2025 Nameless Member Oct 25, 2017 17,049 BakedTanooki Member Oct 27, 2017 3,088 Germany DECK’ARD Creator of Worms Verified Nov 26, 2017 7,001 UK Devil Crash on the PC-Engine, a bit more well-known but still deserves to be highlighted. Pushed the little PC-Engine's sound chip to the absolute limit. Incredibly atmospheric as well, was a perfect fit for the game.  Last edited: Mar 29, 2025 NESpowerhouse Member Oct 25, 2017 9,616 Virginia Silvergun-Blue said: I adore the sounds you get from this hardware. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I agree. Great FM music is a lost art in this day and age. One of the best to do it on the PC-98 outside of Zun was Ryu Umemoto (RIP) and his work on games like YU-NO and Xenon View: https://youtu.be/pV1DbMjWuFE?si=gG4E1srJjuujyIlm&t=2229   PallasKitten Member Jul 11, 2022 1,661 Zephy Member Oct 27, 2017 7,026 This track will haunt me forever View: https://youtu.be/IX1_fWqdSL8?si=oygtY1N6ebnRCZSH   Rabbit Avatar Wrecking Crew Member Feb 24, 2018 416 Not the most obscure I think, but I'll find any reason to post anything from this game. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKhEt5WxCbM   ArcticWolf Member Nov 29, 2022 1,411 AMOK - City of Loso theme by Jesper Kyd (PC & Saturn 1996)  NESpowerhouse Member Oct 25, 2017 9,616 Virginia JP only PC-88/98 games are an absolute goldmine for great OSTs. Just discovered this one not too long ago, and it honestly sounds something you would find in an actual B-horror film from that era. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81XfKtOnxPU   BakedTanooki Member Oct 27, 2017 3,088 Germany NESpowerhouse Member Oct 25, 2017 9,616 Virginia This game is the best kind of PS1 jank. Personally I was a bigger fan of the original JP version featuring Hironobu Kageyama of DBZ/Jam Project fame View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xXHeJosabM  ImaPlayThis Member Oct 26, 2017 3,923 Silvergun-Blue said: I adore the sounds you get from this hardware. There's a particular vibe in a lot of the PS1 era stuff that you just don't get any more. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Definitely another banger from smackdown 2 is the belt records theme (initially I didn't want to post too much) View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdN_EUfsIA   Soulwax Member Oct 27, 2017 131 love this game View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ng9B9OFYI   McNum One Winged Slayer Member Oct 26, 2017 5,940 Denmark I bet a lot of you don't know the Tetris theme. No, not that one. And not the special one from the early Gameboy versions that Nintendo Music exposed you to recently, either. The Commodore 64 Tetris theme, by Wally Beben. View: https://youtu.be/Ny743c32gPg?si=yjtRQXyViTOiroLc That's a 25 minute upload of the C64 Tetris theme. It is not an extended version. It really is 25 minutes long before it loops in the game, too. And it is awesome.  Dunfish Banned Oct 29, 2017 1,488 BakedTanooki Member Oct 27, 2017 3,088 Germany CielTynave Member Oct 25, 2017 2,478 blueredandgold Member Oct 25, 2017 8,291 I wanna hear OSTs that hit you quick in the feels FIND WHO HASN'T HEARD THIS https://youtu.be/3sMbEW2XTZo?si=gNKUDC4H2ouYcCUf SING TO THEM WATCH THEM WEEP WATCH THEM UNDERSTAND HUG THEM AND DON'T LET GO DESTROY THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT www.resetera.com View: https://youtu.be/3sMbEW2XTZo?si=gNKUDC4H2ouYcCUf   Mr Delabee Member Oct 25, 2017 1,168 UK Great game, amazing soundtrack all round. View: https://youtu.be/M2ynIkdWyrQ?si=pe5CM4BW8iLNg-N9   Vampirolol Member Dec 13, 2017 6,596 The Silver Case : Tokio Morishima  Hoa Member Jun 6, 2018 5,857 You aren't ready for something this heavy View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKrHFoWUUMI still one of the most surprising shmup OSTs 😂 ooo this is really good  Last edited: Mar 29, 2025 Bentendo24 Member Feb 20, 2020 6,606 Confident no one has heard this and it's one of the greatest of all time. Listen to the whole thing, it just keeps getting better as new songs are introduced View: https://youtu.be/AMPQPe3w0Cs?si=TXShO05Ns2L9qOum   Dezzy Member Oct 25, 2017 3,749 USA I love 90s tracker scene music, especially by Necros.  NotLiquid One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 37,565 Dreamy. Longing. Paradise.  Ciao Member Jun 14, 2018 5,505 My very first PC game! My answer : View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiN9rePxmTk  Stefarno I ... survived Sedona Member Oct 27, 2017 965 Neptunia soundtracks have generally been surprisingly fantastic: View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjgADKCKBKI   NeoBob688 Member Oct 27, 2017 3,986 OP OP Silvergun-Blue Member Oct 26, 2017 10,791 DECK'ARD said: Crazy Comets on the C64. One of Rob Hubbard's early tunes. The maestro of 8-bit music. Click to expand... Click to shrink... This is what 3 sound channels and a shit ton of talent gets you. Vanguard said: Banger, and this is also the best version of this song. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I'm always down for more cool Mega Drive stuff.  runlikehell Member Oct 26, 2017 1,243 Motoi Sakuraba, forever one of the GOATs: - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. youtu.be   QisTopTier Community Resettler Member Oct 25, 2017 15,008 CountAntonio Member Oct 25, 2017 24,237 For the old heads. View: https://youtu.be/TsP5nnBhtJI   A_Dang Member Oct 27, 2017 265 Western New York Whenever I see a thread like this I either think to post, or maybe even have posted about this one musicians work on game soundtracks. Now...here is the huge qualifier: the creator of the games featuring these soundtracks can kick rocks. Dude needs no mention. With that said, the musician was a hugely influential artist for me growing up, and hearing them on a game soundtrack was magical, and their work across the games their music is featured in is deeply engraved in my mind. I've spent significantly more time on these soundtracks than any others, and I've listened to them way more than I played the games. Okay, now on to the music: I don't think nearly anyone here will know this song, or many of the other deep cuts from the compiled Imaginarium, but this is just an example. View: https://terrytaylor.bandcamp.com/track/coffee-and-other-just-desserts-nh-radio Edit: I have to add this song too: View: https://terrytaylor.bandcamp.com/track/im-thirsty-i-need-wahwah-nh-radio Both of the linked songs are quoted regularly by me, my siblings and my dad. 

Humble Choice is easily one of the most overlooked gaming subscriptions. Brought to you by the same people responsible for the Humble Bundle, Humble Choice serves up a rotating catalog of DRM-free games that you get to keep forever, in addition to an array of other cool benefits, for just $129 a year, or $11.99 month-to-month. Humble Choice is a fantastic value when compared to the annual cost for services like Game Pass Ultimate ($240) or PSN Plus Extra ($159.99), which don’t let you access their game library when you cancel your subscription. This month, Humble Choice subscribers get access to the eldritch fishing simulator Dredge, 1000XResist, Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered, Aliens: Dark Descent, and four other awesome titles. But if you don’t see something you like, don’t worry. Humble Choice also gives you access to the Humble Vault, which contains over 100 DRM-free titles for you to check out whenever you like. In addition to getting this massive library of PC titles, Humble Choice subscribers also enjoy discounts of up to 20% on select titles from the Humble store (including many first-party titles for the Nintendo Switch). Like with the company’s other bundles, a portion of your Humble Choice subscription fee goes to support a charity. This month, 5% of your subscription will benefit One Tree Planted, a humanitarian organization that combats deforestation around the world.

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Trails Beyond the Horizon Deluxe Edition $60 | Releases Fall 2025 Preorder at Amazon Trails Beyond the Horizon Collector's Edition $100 | Releases Fall 2025 Preorder at NIS America Online Store The latest entry in the Trails RPG series, Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon launches on PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC later this Fall. Publisher NIS America has not yet announced a specific release date, but fans who are eager to secure their copy can preorder Trails Beyond the Horizon now. If you plan to add a physical copy to your collection, there's the $60 Trails Beyond the Horizon Deluxe Edition and a $100 Collector's Edition, both of which include the game and a few exclusive extras.Trails Beyond the Horizon Preorder BonusesNo preorder bonuses have been announced yet, but considering the Deluxe and Collector's Editions include a selection of extras--and the Collector's Edition, in particular, is likely to sell out--it's worth preordering them soon to ensure you get all the goodies. We will update this section if any preorder bonuses are announced. Trails Beyond the Horizon Deluxe Edition $60 | Releases Fall 2025 The Trails Beyond the Horizon Deluxe Edition is the only physical version of the game available to preorder. It includes a boxed copy of the game plus a mini art book and a download code for a digital soundtrack, all for just $60. It's available to preorder on PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. Preorder at Amazon Trails Beyond the Horizon Collector's Edition $100 | Releases Fall 2025 A Trails Beyond the Horizon Collector's Edition is also available exclusively from the NIS America store. It includes everything from the Deluxe Edition, plus a steelbook case, a physical copy of the soundtrack, an acrylic clock and standee set, and a collector's box. Preorder at NIS America Online Store Trails Beyond the Horizon is the third game in the Trails Through Daybreak arc, which kicked off a new story arc in the long-running series, making it a good jumping-on point for anyone interested in checking out the massive Trails franchise for the first time. You'll need to catch up on Trails Through Daybreak and Trails Through Daybreak II before playing Trails Beyond the Horizon--but that's an easier task than jumping back to the very beginning of the series. Both Daybreak games are available at Amazon.Continue Reading at GameSpot