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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
Tests of the model atmospheres of red giant stars by photometric observations and angular diameter measurements (including limb-darkening) revealed that the present models reasonably represent the thermal structure of the continuum-forming region of red giant atmospheres. On the other hand, tests by line spectra (including line-blanketed fluxes) revealed that classical model atmospheres of red giant stars cannot yet satisfactorily represent the line-forming region. Recent progress in observations also provide some tests of improved models incorporating non-LTE or sphericity effects. More importantly, recent observations offer the means to test some new approaches such as: hydrodynamical simulation of photospheric convection, modeling atmospheres with thermal bifurcation, and incorporating the effects of outer atmosphere having inhomogeneous structure consisting of warm chromosphere and cool molecular dissociation zone.