Equivariant maps between cohomology spheres (Q1909712)

The authors introduce a notion of a cohomology sphere in the equivariant case and define the Euler class for a locally trivial bundle with such a \(G\)-space \(X\) as a fiber, where \(G\) denotes a compact Lie group. Using their definition, they show that the main result of [the second author, J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 49, 195-208 (1994; Zbl 0802.55002)] still holds if the sphere of an orthogonal representation is replaced by a \(G\)-space which is a cohomology sphere. The authors also consider actions of a finite cyclic group \(G= C_k\). For this group, and \(X\) as above, an index of \(X\) has been defined in [\textit{Yu. G. Borisovich}, \textit{Ya. A. Izrailevich} and \textit{T. N. Shchelokova}, Usp. Mat. Nauk 32, No. 1(193), 161-162 (1977; Zbl 0358.55014)]. This paper gives an alternative definition for an index of \(X\) and proves the equivalence of these two definitions. Finally, using their definition of the index (via the Euler class), the authors compute its value for the sphere of an orthogonal representation \(V\) of \(G= C_k\). This allows them to find for which \(V\) is this index different from zero.