A low-state eclipse spectrum of hercules X-1 observed with ASCA

We analyzed the ASCA data of Her X-1 obtained during the ''extended low'' intensity state on 1993 August 13 and August 28. Both observations cover orbital phases ranging from 0.7 to 1.25 including an X-ray eclipse. We find that the eclipse spectrum is modeled by a single power law with a photon index of 0.8 plus a soft blackbody of kT similar to 0.1 keV in the energy range of 0.5-10 keV. The estimated eclipse flux is (8.1 +/- 0.6) x 10(-12) ergs cm(-2) s(-1) (2-10 keV). The spectral shape is consistent with that obtained from the eclipse data of the ''main high'' with Ginga, although the flux is reduced by a factor of 3. Similarity of the eclipse spectra between the ''low'' and ''high'' state suggests the presence of a steady circumstellar matter surrounding the Her X-1 system. We interpret the flux reduction in the ''low'' state because of time variations of the X-ray scattering site.