Families of Weierstrass points (Q1262916)

The paper investigates the geometry of the closure \(\bar {\mathcal W}\subset \overline{{\mathcal C}_ g}\) of the locus of Weierstrass points of smooth curves (where \(\overline{{\mathcal C}_ g}\) is the moduli space of pointed stable curves of genus g over the complex numbers). One determines the expression of \(\bar {\mathcal W}\) in a ``standard'' basis of Pic(\(\overline{{\mathcal C}_ g})\otimes {\mathbb{Q}}\). One also investigates the singularities of \(\bar {\mathcal W}\) and the intersection of \(\bar {\mathcal W}\) with the ``boundary components'' of \(\overline{{\mathcal C}_ g}\). Finally one determines the class of the closure in \(\overline{{\mathcal M}_ g}\) (= moduli space of stable curves of genus g) of the locus of curves possessing a point p such that \((g+1)p\) moves in a net [this is done by using the preceding theory plus a result of S. Diaz on the locus of curves possessing a point p such that \((g-1)p\) moves in a pencil; cf. \textit{S. Diaz}, Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 327 (1985; Zbl 0581.14018)].