Using Spitzer IRAC and MIPS observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud , we have identified 13 objects that have extremely red mid-IR colors .
Follow-up Spitzer IRS observations of seven of these sources reveal varying amounts of SiC and C _ { 2 } H _ { 2 } absorption as well as the presence of a broad MgS feature in at least two cases , indicating that these are extreme carbon stars .
Preliminary estimates find these objects have luminosities of 4–11 \times 10 ^ { 3 } L _ { \odot } and preliminary model fitting gives mass-loss rates between 4 \times 10 ^ { -5 } and 2 \times 10 ^ { -4 } M _ { \odot } yr ^ { -1 } , higher than any known carbon-rich AGB star in the LMC .
These spectral and physical properties require careful reconsideration of dust condensation and mass-loss processes for carbon stars in low metallicity environments .