Abstract

Comparison of a high resolution H-alpha-line profile of Eta Carinae with published UV spectra of the star allows the H-alpha profile to be decomposed in three P-Cygni-like components having widths of about 1 A, 4.5 A, and 14.4 A, corresponding to 45 km/sec, 200 km/sec, and 650 km/sec, respectively. These components can be interpreted in terms of massive shells of matter ejected by the star in the past.