Hercules X-1 and MXB 1730-335

On behalf of the Tenma Team, Y. Tanaka reports: "With reference to the EXOSAT reports on IAUC 3841, Tenma observed on and off states of Her X-1 during May 20-June 1. When the object entered the field of the detectors on May 20 the intensity was already ~ 50 Uhuru units, a typical high-state intensity indicating that actual turn-on had occurred several days before. Pulsations and orbital Doppler effect were clearly seen until May 27. After May 28 the intensity dropped below ~ 3 Uhuru units and faded away." He also reports that the Rapid Burster MXB 1730-335 may have become active. Its persistent flux became visible to Tenma on Aug. 5 and increased to ~ 0.1 Crab (2-10 keV). Bursts, which are apparently of type 1 (Hoffman et al. 1978, Nature 271, 630) are being observed to occur about once every 70 min. No type 2 rapid bursts are yet seen. He adds that both Tenma and Hakucho are currently observing the source and urges that infrared and radio observers monitor this source.