Radio and infrared observations of OH/IR stars at the tangential point and near the galactic center

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The authors have determined accurate radio positions and subsequently made simultaneous infrared and OH radio measurements of a sample of OH/IR stars near the tangential point and in the galactic center. Intrinsic physical parameters of the stars and their dust shells, as well as the maser luminosities, have been determined. They are consistent with the stars being at the top of the asymptotic giant branch; the dense circumstellar shells suggest that they are evolving rapidly through a phase of high mass loss. It is shown that the OH luminosity is strongly dependent on the degree of reddening of the circumstellar shell, i.e., on the stellar mass-loss rate. In addition, a quantitative relation between the OH luminosity and the optical depth in the 10 μm silicate feature has been determined.