Analysis of the Balmer discontinuity behavior of Be stars by the Monte Carlo method

Abstract

Abstract. For a given photospheric model, we study the behavior of the BD as different density and temperature distributions in the circumstellar envelope are assumed. For non spherically symmetric envelopes, we analyze the variation of the BD when the angle of observation varies. The radiation transfer through the medium is handled by means of the Monte Carlo method. We calculate the flux emitted by the star+envelope system in a small wavelength range around the BD. The calculations are made under LTE conditions.