Mass loss and OH maser emission from Mira variables

The mass, radius, and luminosity of 26 Mira variables that are known OH sources of radio emission at 1612 MHz have been estimated. The time-independent solution of Salpeter's (1974) stellar-wind equation and a period-density relation are used to solve for basic stellar parameters, with the aid of the terminal expansion velocity of the OH maser cloud. Masses obtained from these calculations are consistent with other estimated values for masses of Mira variables. Good agreement is obtained when comparing the rate of mass loss as determined from Reimers's (1977) semiempirical relation with estimates of the mass-loss rate as deduced from theoretical models involving radiation pressure on grains. These calculations suggest a strong correlation between the mass-loss rate and the pulsation period. Arguments concerning the general properties of silicate grains from radiation-pressure-driven stellar-wind equations are discussed.