A characterization of astral \((n_4)\) configurations (Q5955149)

An \((n_4)\) configuration is a collection of points and lines in the Euclidean plane, such that each point is on exactly four lines and each line passes through exactly four points. An \((n_4)\) configuration is astral if the subgroup of the isometries of the Euclidean plane which map the configuration onto itself generate exactly two transitivity classes of lines. Proving a conjecture of \textit{B. Grünbaum} [Geombinatorics 9, 127-134 and 164-169 (2000; Zbl 0981.51014 and Zbl 0964.51011)], the author of this paper classifies all possible \((n_4)\) astral configurations. They all derive from two infinite families and 27 sporadic configurations. The proof uses results from \textit{B. Poonen} and \textit{M. Rubinstein} [SIAM J. Discrete Math. 11, No.~1, 135-156 (1998; Zbl 0913.51005)]. The Mathematica computations that went into the proof can be found at the author's website.