\(\alpha\)-isoptics of a triangle and their connection to \(\alpha\)-isoptic of an oval (Q2356002)

An \(\alpha\)-isoptic curve \(C_{\alpha}\) of a plane, strictly convex, closed curve \(C\) is the set of those points in the complex plane from which the curve is seen under a fixed angle \(\alpha\). The origin of the plane is chosen inside \(C\). Then there exists a differentiable function \(p\) such that \(p\) is the distance from the origin to the support line. In this paper an \(\alpha\)-isoptic curve \(C_\alpha\) \((0<\alpha<\pi)\) of a triangle and some properties are studied. An explicit formula for \(C_{\alpha}\) is given. Then it follows that a family of \(\alpha\)-isoptics of properly chosen triangles has an envelope which is an \(\alpha\)-isoptic of an oval. The length functions and area functions of an \(\alpha\)-isoptic curve of a triangle are considered. At the end the obtained results are transferred to an oval. The consideration can be related to those in \textit{H. Martini}'s classical light field theory in \(\mathbb R^d\), \(d \geq 2\); see [Beitr. Algebra Geom. 30, 193--201 (1990; Zbl 0679.52004)].