Let $X \subset \mathbb{ P}^{ n}$ be an unramified real curve with $X(\mathbb{ R}) \neq \emptyset$. If $n \geq 3$ is odd, Huisman conjectures that $X$ is an $M$-curve and that every branch of $X(\mathbb{ R})$ is a pseudo-line. If $n \geq 4$ is even, he conjectures that $X$ is a rational normal curve or a twisted form of a such. We disprove the first conjecture by giving a family of counterexamples. We remark that the second conjecture follows for generic curves of odd degree from the formula enumerating the number of complex inflection points.

Categories: math.AG

On Huisman's conjectures about unramified real curves