Catching the gas outflow during spin-downs of Her X-1

With the proposed observations we would like for the first time to make use ofthe known pulse period and Xray flux behavior of Her X1 (from Swift/BAT data)to test directly the promising hypothesis of the increased disc outflow duringspindown episodes which would change substantially our view ofthe torqueinteraction in accreting pulsars. We propose triggered observationsof Her X1 in the middle of four mainon states: two pointings during strongspindowns and two outside the spindown episodes (equilibrium state).Comparing the spectral data (mainly the intensity of the emission lines andthedepth of the absorption edges in the RGS spectra) would allow us to see thedifference in the amount of outflowing gas between the two regimes. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]