The influence of atmospheric dust on limb darkening of M-type Mira variables

We explore the occurrence of dust in M-type Mira atmospheres and its effect on limb darkening under schematic assumptions about dust temperatures and dust particle proper-ties. Dust particles that are thermodynamically couple d to the surrounding gas may form and may affect limb darkening, though onl y by very little in infrared continuum bandpasses. Dust particles that assu me the equilibrium temperature given by the mean intensity of the radiation field only form under rare circumstances. Unexpectedly large or wavelength -dependent infrared continuum radii observed by interferometry are unlikely to be caused by atmospheric dust, except possibly near 1 mum; however, rad ius measurements may be significantly affected by molecular band contaminat ion.