The infrared variability and nature of smbiotic stars. - VI. Recent variations of RX Puppis.

Observations of RX Pup obtained in 1983 indicate that it has become fainter in the infrared and visual regions. The visual spectrum is now dominated by emission lines, many of which are of high excitation, while in the infrared the H₂O absorption bands have weakened and the spectrum is now dominated by thermal dust emission. To explain these observations it is necessary to assume that both the hot continuum and the Mira variable have become fainter, in the latter case possibly due to dust obscuration. Absolute fluxes are tabulated for lines in the 3700 - 7200 Å spectral region.