The deformation space of Delaunay triangulations of the sphere (Q6045496)

It is proven that the space of simplicial convex polyhedra inscribed in the sphere \(S^2\) and the spaces of strictly Delaunay geodesic triangulations of \(S^2\) have the same homotopy type as \(SO(3)\), and thus the same homotopy type as the space of orientation preserving diffeomorphisms of the sphere. The proof relies on I. Rivin's variational principles on triangulated surfaces. On the other hand, the spaces of strictly Delaunay geodesic triangulations of flat tori and convex polygons are disconnected; illustrating examples are presented.