Upper limits on the cyclotron lines from Her X-1 as observed with OSO-8

Observations of Her X-1 were obtained during its ON-state in September, 1977, with the high-energy X-ray detector on board OSO-8. Upper limits on the line fluxes at 60 and 135 keV based on these observations are above, and hence consistent with, the positive results reported by Trumper, et al from a balloon flight during the same time interval. A detailed analysis of the time-variable et al background spectrum suggests that the line emission, especially in the time-averaged spectrum of Her X-1 previously reported by other workers at 25, 60, and 135 keV, is due to instrumental effects. The spectrum obtained with OSO-8 in September, 1977, is considerably steeper than that observed in pre-1976 balloon flights. These results are consistent with the results obtained by Trumper showing a decrease in the effective temperature of Her X-1 between May, 1976, and September, 1977.