Polarities of compact eight-dimensional planes (Q1781855)

The author proves: Let \(P\) be an 8-dimensional compact projective plane admitting an at least 17-dimensional automorphism group. If \(P\) is self-dual then \(P\) admits a polarity. The plane \(P\) admits exactly one conjugacy class of polarities if, and only if, it is isomorphic to a plane over a Rees algebra or to a Hughes plane. The plane \(P\) admits precisely two conjugacy classes of polarities if, and only if, it is a spin plane or a plane over a mutation of quaternions. Only the plane over the quaternion field has more than two conjugacy classes of polarities (namely 3).