On the topology of the space of almost complex structures on the six sphere (Q2075847)

Let \(\mathcal{J}(S^6)\) be the space of almost complex structures on the six-dimensional sphere \(S^6\). By constructing a fiber sequence \(\mathrm{Map}(S^6,S^1)\to \mathrm{Map}(S^6,S^7) \to \mathcal{J}(S^6)\), the authors show that the homotopy groups of \(\mathcal{J}(S^6)\) are given by \[ \pi_k\mathcal{J}(S^6)\cong \begin{cases} \mathbb{Z}/2, & \mbox{if } k=1 \\ \pi_k(S^7)\oplus \pi_{k+6}(S^7), & \mbox{otherwise}. \end{cases} \] They also show that the inclusion \(j:SO(7)/G_2\cong \mathbb{R}P^7\hookrightarrow \mathcal{J}(S^6)\) induces an isomorphism on their fundamental groups and rational homotopy groups by proving that the homotopy fiber of \(j\) is a path component of \(\Omega^7S^7\). Finally, they illustrate that their approach can be generalized to study the topology of the space of almost complex structures on a closed six-manifold in the component of an almost complex structure with vanishing first Chern class.