# Curve C of genus 2 whose equation satisfies equation in Igusa invariants, but where Jac(C) does not split

The background question is: Let $C$ be a curve of genus $2$ over a field $k$. When is there a degree $2$ morphism from $C$ to an elliptic curve (and therefore an isogeny from the Jacobian $\mbox{Jac}(C)$ to a product of elliptic curves)?

On the homepage for their paper, Bruin and Doerksen list some equations for the absolute Igusa invariants of $C$ and degree 2, 3 and 4 of the morphism. If $\mbox{Jac}(C)$ is split, then the invariants satisfy the respective polynomial equation. On the other hand, their method suggests the converse may not hold.

Does anyone know a curve whose invariants satisfy the equation, but whose Jacobian is not (2,2)-split?

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Do you mean a degree two morphism from $C$ to an elliptic curve? (It doesn't make sense to say that a map from a surface to a curve has degree two.) –  Dan Petersen Nov 4 '12 at 21:00
Of course, thanks for that. Just to clarify further, I'm really only asking for an example (or a hint how to obtain one), not for an answer to the 'background question'. –  Gregor Bruns Nov 4 '12 at 21:30
Also, my answer to mathoverflow.net/questions/109879 may be helpful. –  Dan Petersen Nov 4 '12 at 21:58