The hit problem for \(H^{*}(BU(2); \mathbb F_p)\) (Q1954173)

The ``hit problem'' for a module over the Steenrod algebra is to identify those elements which are ``hit'', i.e., arise by applying Steenrod operations to lower-degree elements. The remainder give rise to a minimal set of generators for the module. The problem is quite challenging in most cases and has spawned a large and interesting literature since first being raised by Frank Peterson in the 1980s [\textit{F. P. Peterson}, Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 105, No. 2, 311--312 (1989; Zbl 0692.55012)]. In this paper the authors solve the problem for the classifying space \(BU(2)\), at odd primes. The results are described in the dual setting of annihilated elements in the homology of \(BU(2)\), and using an action of the Kudo-Araki-May algebra.