LINE FORMATION IN BE STAR ENVELOPES .1. INHOMOGENEOUS DENSITY DISTRIBUTIONS

Based on 3D radiative line transfer calculations for inhomogeneous Be star circumstellar envelopes, theoretical H alpha emission line profil es are presented. The results show that the so-called winebottle-type emission line profiles and shell profiles can be generated by the same optically thick Keplerian disk viewed at different inclination angles i. The H alpha variability of HR 2825 in the eighties can be explaine d by line splitting over-crossing due to non-coherent scattering broad ening caused by a density variation in the envelope. Huang's law is re -investigated; its restricted application for winebottle-type and shel l line profiles is discussed. Finally the calculated emission line pro files are compared with observed H alpha line profiles.