Abstract Employing recent TP-AGB synthesis, we have carried out a detailed study of Mira variables by means of a population synthesis code. We estimate that the total number of Mira variables in the Galaxy is from about 100 000 to 600 000 and their average lifetimes are between about 150 000 and 830 000 yr. The ratio of the number of O-Mira variables to that of C-Mira variables ranges from about 0.68 to 6.2. The effects of input physical parameters (mass loss rate, the minimum core mass for the third dredge-up, the third dredge-up efficiency and theoretical criterion for selecting Mira variables) on the Mira population are discussed.
Keywords stars: Mira variables — Galaxy: stellar content — stars: fundamental parameters
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