Best Sobolev constants and Emden equations for the critical exponent in \(S^3\) (Q1298125)

It is shown that for geodesic balls on the 3-dimensional sphere \(S^3\) the best Sobolev constant for the critical exponent is attained if the balls are larger than the hemisphere. On the other hand for balls smaller or equal to the hemisphere the best Sobolev constant isn't attained. The discussion is based upon a study of the corresponding Euler equations. It answers a question posed in the paper by \textit{C. Bandle}, \textit{A. Brillard} and \textit{M. Flucher} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 305, No. 3, 1103-1128 (1998; Zbl 0912.35065)].