HEASA 2021

Hercules X-1 (Her X-1): New results from the past decade of observations

15 Sept 2021, 16:30

15m

Contributed talk X-ray and γ-ray binaries & High-Energy Polarimetry XRB II & HE Polarimetry

Speaker

Denis Leahy (University Of Calgary)

Description

Her X-1 is an accreting X-ray binary with well-determined properties based on measurements of light- curves and spectra since its discovery in 1972. Since discovery, it has been observed with most major X-ray astronomy instruments. Observations of Her X-1 over the past decade include those from AstroSat, Swift, and MAXI. These have added to the range of phenomena detected from this system. The new aspects of the binary will be reviewed, including new orbital and 35-day measurements of pre-eclipse dips. These will be used to test models for the system, including accretion disk and stream from the L1 point on HZ Her to its impact point on the disk.