Measurement of the Orbital Parameters, Spin and Spectral Evolution During the Main High State of Her X-1 with Insight-HXMT

Abstract

Based on Insight-HXMT observations, we present a detailed timing analysis and spectral evolution of a complete Main High state for Her X-1 in February 2020. We determine an accurate local ephemeris using the R{\o}mer delay measured from five eclipses. We report the spin period of the neutron star at $P_{\rm spin}=1.23765212 \pm 0.00000026$ s with a spin period derivative of $\dot P_{\rm spin}=-(1.18\pm 0.04)\times 10^{-13}$ s\,s$^{-1}$. By combining the newly measured local values $T_{ecl}$ with those reported in the literature, we refine the orbital ephemeris of Her X-1, obtaining $T_{ecl} = 46359.871956 \pm 0.000010$ MJD and $P_{orb}=1.7001674990 \pm 0.0000000105$ day, then detect a continuous decrease in the orbital period with a rate of $\dot{P}_{\rm orb} = -(1.957 \pm 0.335)\times10^{-11}\,\mathrm{d\,d^{-1}}$. We also investigate the evolution of X-ray spectral parameters during the Main High state. The hydrogen absorption column density $N_{\rm H}$ increased monotonously during the phase, and the photon index kept nearly constant. The cyclotron absorption line was detected with a centroid energy around 38 keV, showing no significant evolution with luminosity. The spectral variations with the superorbital phase are discussed within the accretion disk precession scenario.