# Unirationality of universal Jacobian over special strata of moduli space of pointed genus 3 curves

Let $$M_{3,1}$$ be the (coarse, non-compactified) moduli space of genus $$3$$ curves with a marked point over a field $$k$$ of characteristic zero. Throwing away the hyperelliptic curves, take the open subset $$M_{3,1}^{nh}$$ of non-hyperelliptic curves, which under the canonical embedding correspond to smooth plane quartics. The variety $$M_{3,1}^{nh}$$ has a stratification: $$M_{3,1}^{nh}= M_{3,1}^{generic} \sqcup M_{3,1}^{bitangent} \sqcup M_{3,1}^{flex}\sqcup M_{3,1}^{hyperflex} .$$ Here the superscript denotes the behaviour of the marked point $$P$$ under the canonical embedding. (For example, $$P$$ is a hyperflex if and only if $$4P$$ is a canonical divisor.) It is known by work of Looijenga ('Cohomology of M_3 and M_{3,1}') that each stratum is unirational.

Let $$J \rightarrow M_{3,1}^{nh}$$ be the universal Jacobian over $$M_{3,1}^{nh}$$. For $$D$$ in $$\{generic, bitangent, flex, hyperflex\},$$ write $$J^D \rightarrow M_{3,1}^D$$ for the pullback to the corresponding stratum.

Question. Is $$J^D$$ a unirational variety?

I'm especially interested in the hyperflex case. Any hints or references would be appreciated.

• Jacobian of a genus 3 curve is birational to its symmetric cube via the Abel-Jacobi map. Thus J itself is unirational because it is dominated by a rational variety parametrizing four points on $\mathbb{P}^2$ and a degree four curve passing through these points. The hyperflex condition is a linear condition on the configuration above, so the same argument seems to show that $J^{hyperflex}$ is also unirational. Jan 2 '20 at 22:35
• Furthermore, since 4 general points in $\mathbb{P}^2$ can be sent to $[0:0:1]$, $[0:1:0]$, $[1:0:0]$, $[1:1:1]$ by $PGL_3$-action, the universal Jacobians we consider are birational to quotients of projective spaces (degree four equations with some linear conditions on the coefficients) by a linear action of the symmetric group $S_3$. I think one can then show that these moduli spaces are in fact RATIONAL, not just unirational. Jan 3 '20 at 12:21
• Thanks for the comments, they make a lot of sense!
– Jef
Jan 5 '20 at 14:48