ASTROPHYSICS: STUDIES FROM N.D. MELIKIAN AND CO-RESEARCHERS UPDATE CURRENT DATA ON ASTROPHYSICS

Science Letter
September 30, 2008

"Spectra of five condensations in the Herbig-Haro object HH 448 are
presented for the first time. The emission line intensities indicate a
low degree of ionization, 3-5%, with an electron density of 10(3)-10(4)
cm(-3)," scientists in Armenia report (see also Astrophysics).

"The relative intensities of the emission lines of the individual
condensations show that their physical properties differ. We classify
the two stars closest to HH 448 as main sequence dwarfs which are, most
likely, not coupled to HH 448," wrote N.D. Melikian and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "The absorption in the region of HH 448
is at least 4(m).3."

Melikian and colleagues published their study in Astrophysics (Spectral
observations of HH 448. Astrophysics, 2008;51(2):189-196).

For more information, contact N.D. Melikian, VA Ambartsumyan Byurakan
Astrophysics Observ, Byurakan, Armenia.

Publisher contact information for the journal Astrophysics is:
Springer, Plenum Publishers, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.