Isometric actions on the projective planes and embedded generators of homotopy groups (Q1881525)

Projective lines represent generators of the homotopy groups \(\pi_2(\mathbb{C} P^2)\), \(\pi_4(\mathbb{H} P^2)\), \(\pi_8(\mathbb{O} P^2)\). In the paper under review, the authors ask whether there are other orbits \({\mathcal O}\) of isometric actions such that there exists a covering map \(S^k\to{\mathcal O}\) which represents a nontrivial element in \(\pi_k(\mathbb{C} P^2)\), \(\pi_k(\mathbb{H} P^2)\), \(\pi_k(\mathbb{O} P^2)\). They prove the following characterization: Theorem: Any such orbit \({\mathcal O}\) is up to a congruence one of the following: \(\bullet\) A projective line in \(\mathbb{C} P^2\), \(\mathbb{H} P^2\), \(\mathbb{O} P^2\). \(\bullet\) The quadric line \(z^2_1+ z^2_2+ z^2_3= 0\) in \(\mathbb{C} P^2\) or the analogous orbits in \(\mathbb{H} P^2\) and \(\mathbb{O} P^2\). These orbits \(S_{\mathbb{C}}\), \(S_{\mathbb{H}}\) and \(S_{\mathbb{O}}\) are diffeomorphic to \(S^2\), \(S^5\) and \(S^{11}\). They represent twice a generator of \(\pi_2(\mathbb{C} P^2)= \mathbb{Z}\), the generator of \(\pi_5(\mathbb{H} P^2)= \mathbb{Z}_2\), and a generator of \(\pi_{11}(\mathbb{O} P^2)= \mathbb{Z}_{24}\).