  We present a fit to the spectral energy distribution of OH 127.8+0.0, a
typical asymptotic giant branch star with an optically thick circumstellar dust
shell. The fit to the dust spectrum is achieved using non-spherical grains
consisting of metallic iron, amorphous and crystalline silicates and water ice.
Previous similar attempts have not resulted in a satisfactory fit to the
observed spectral energy distributions, mainly because of an apparent lack of
opacity in the 3--8 micron region of the spectrum. Non-spherical metallic iron
grains provide an identification for the missing source of opacity in the
near-infrared. Using the derived dust composition, we have calculated spectra
for a range of mass-loss rates in order to perform a consistency check by
comparison with other evolved stars. The L-[12 micron] colours of these models
correctly predict the mass-loss rate of a sample of AGB stars, strengthening
our conclusion that the metallic iron grains dominate the near-infrared flux.
We discuss a formation mechanism for non-spherical metallic iron grains.

Astrophysics