The infrared variability and nature of symbiotic stars. IV. RX Puppis.

Extensive JHKL observations for the years 1972-82 are tabulated. A Mira variable of period 580 days is present in the system which has a distance of 3.0 kpc. The mean J brightness of thye system was constant from 1975 to 1979 but then decreased as did the V brightness. Some or all of this decrease may be due to a reduction in free-free and free-bound emission at both wavelengths. Alternatively there may be variable dust obscuration. The L magnitudes show that the flux from heated dust in the system increased steadily from 1975 until at least 1979 and less certainly until the present time.