Implicit forms of inner isoptics of ellipses (Q2170465)

Let \(C\) be a planar convex curve, and let \(\alpha>0\). The (outer) \(\alpha\)-isoptic curve \(C_\alpha\) of \(C\) is the locus of points \(p\) in the complement of \(C\) such that the angle between the two lines through \(p\) which are tangent to \(C\) equals \(\alpha\). See for example [\textit{K. Benko} et al., An. Științ. Univ. Al. I. Cuza Iași, Ser. Nouă, Mat. 36, No. 1, 47--54 (1990; Zbl 0725.52002)]. For a given external point along an (outer) isoptic \(C_\alpha\), if the two corresponding points of tangency to the curve are joined by a straight line, then the envelope of the family of such lines for all points along the (outer) isoptic \(C_\alpha\) generates the ``inner'' isoptic curve of \(C\) and \(C_\alpha\). See for example [\textit{H. Martini} and the last author, Rend. Semin. Mat. Univ. Padova 125, 39--49 (2011; Zbl 1252.52003)]. In the present paper the authors derive implicit forms of the inner isoptics of ellipses. They also demonstrate that the outer and inner isoptics are projective duals of each other.