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   PR # 22075
    In August 1993 we found the X-ray pulsar Her X-1 in an anomalous low 
    state with characteristics seen only once before: counts in the 0.1- 
    35 keV range factors of 10-50 below expected; a pulse period         
    increase; but UV fluxes still consistent with `normal' X-ray heating 
    effects.  There is now evidence from BATSE that Her X-1 is emerging  
    from the low state.  We propose new observations that will either    
    test recent models of the inner accretion disk that may explain the  
    anomalous state or, if the `normal' state has returned use the high  
    spectral resolution of ASCA to examine the complex iron line         
    variability; the pulse phase dependence of the iron line implies we  
    are probing deep into the magnetosphere where the accretion energy is
   released & has important impli
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