Temporal Intensity Fluctuations of HERCULES-X-1 around 100-SECOND Timescales
Pietsch, W.; Kahabka, P.; Truemper, J.; Oegelman, H.; Voges, W.
Germany
Abstract
Her X-1 has been observed with EXOSAT for one 35d cycle between March 1 and April 5, 1984 at about 4 day intervals. During three observations, absorption dips were encountered showing fluctuations with time scales in the several hundred seconds range. The data are interpreted with a model where random superposition of absorbing blobs or inhomogeneous structures within the accretion disk, in the line of sight, cause these intensity variations. The calculations give a measure of the extent of the disk both in vertical and radial directions.