This question relates to one on topology and C^*-algebras that was asked two days ago, namely at the link: http://mathoverflow.net/questions/109772/c-algebras-with-no-nontrivial-endomorphisms link text
Let D be the closed unit disk in the plane. Let C(D) be the unital ring of continuous complex-valued functions on D. Then, C(D) is naturally a Banach algebra with pointwise addition and multiplication as the ring operations. Furthermore, the "star-operation" on elements of C(D) can be defined by: $g*(x)$ to be the complex conjugate (pointwise) of g(x), any x in D, and for any function g in C(D).
The question in reference 1 above was related to injective star-endomorphisms of some $C*$ -algebras. Without saying so, I think the famous commutative Gelfand-Naimark theorem and the Gelfand representation figured "in the background", because of the interplay of commutative $C*$-algebras and topology on compact spaces ... If $\alpha$ is an injective star-morphism of C(D) to itself, is it possible for $\alpha$(C(D)) to be a proper (i.e. a `strict') star-sub-algebra of the $C*$-algebra C(D) ?
If so, I cannot find such a special *-morphism $\alpha$, hence my question.
