Log minimal model program for the moduli space of stable curves of genus three

We completely carry out the log minimal model program for the moduli space of stable curves of genus three with respect to the total boundary $\delta$: We give a modular interpretation of the log canonical model for the pair $(\bar{\mathcal M}_3, \a\d)$ for each $\a \in [0,7/10)$ and of the birational maps between them. By using the modular description, we are able to identify all but one log canonical models $\Mg(\a)$, $\a \in [0,1]$, with existing compactifications of $M_3$, some new and others classical, while the exception gives a new modular compactification of $M_3$.

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Published 1 January 2010