SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL 43026
 JOACHIM SIEBERT
MAX-PLANCK-INSTITUT F\"UR EXTRATERRESTRISCHE PHYSIK
GERMANY GERMANY 85748
GARCHING
GIESSENBACHSTRASSE

  E-mail: JOS@MPE-GARCHING.MPG.DE	Tel: (0)89-3299-3526	Fax: (0)89-3299-3569
  Medium: 2GB8MM

Subject: AGN                                                         
  Title: THE X-RAY SPECTRUM OF THE SPECTACULAR RADIO GALAXY HERCULES A                   


Abstract:
 The radio galaxy Hercules A (3C 348) is one of the most prominent AGN in the sky.
 Although intensively studied, many of its striking characteristics, such as the
 radio morphology and the environment, are still a matter of debate. A ROSAT PSPC
 observation provides evidence for extended, i.e. thermal, X-ray emission components.
 With this ASCA observation we intend to determine accurately the shape of the high
 energy X-ray spectrum of Her A. By doing so we will be able to decide whether its
 X-ray emission is dominated by thermal or nonthermal processes. If the indications
 for thermal emission can be substantiated, this would strongly argue for a cluster
 environment of Her A and thus provide clues for our understanding of many of the puzzling properties of this peculiar radio galaxy.

 Co-Is:
   1  WOLFGANG BRINKMANN  	MPE                           GERMANY   
      NKAWAI@POSTMAN.RIKEN.GO.JP	0484621111
   2  NOBUYUKI KAWAI      	RIKEN                         JAPAN     


Target Name           PRI RA        Dec        Time TC  Off GIS SIS_Cts  Obs
-------------------   --- --------  --------   ---- --  --- --- -------  ---
HERCULES A             3  252.7833    4.9928    30   N   Y   P  0.17000   1