Platonic stars (Q2431393)

The idea of constructing algebraic surfaces with many singularities by using finite group action is classical. This idea was applied with success in particular in the study of algebraic surfaces with maximal number of singularities \(A_1\), \(A_2\), etc. The authors use this idea to construct symmetric surfaces that they call ``Platonic star''. More precisely let \(S\) be a Platonic (Archimedean) solid and \(m\) the number of its vertices. Denote its symmetry group \(G\) in \(O_3(\mathbb{R})\). An algebraic surface \(X\) that is invariant under the action of \(G\) and has exactly \(m\) isolated singularities of type \(A_2\) at the vertices of the solid is called a Platonic (Archimedean) star. The authors require that the cusps point outward, otherwise they speak of anti-star. In the paper the authors give beautiful constructions of the stars and describe many geometric properties.