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    PR # 32064                                                                   
     We propose a 40 ksec observation of SMC X-1 centered on orbital phase       
     0 (deep eclipse) for the purposes of measuring the element abundances       
     in the wind of the B0I companion Sk 160 and refining our                    
     understanding of the distribution and dynamics of circumstellar             
     matter as it moves under the influence of radiation pressure, thermal       
     pressure, gravity and ultra-high X-ray intensity. The well-determined       
     distance and the absence of significant interstellar absorption and         
     grain scattering make SMC X-1 the ideal object for this study.  The         
     spatially-resolved spectrometric capabilities of ASCA will yield            
     measurements of the intensities of the hydrogen and helium like ions        
     of the elements from Z=10 to 20 which we will interpret in terms of         
    abundances and physical condit                                               
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