Moduli Stacks of $G$-Curves in Homotopy Theory at Height $p-1$

Abstract

Let $p$ be odd and $G' = \mathbb{Z}/p \rtimes \mathbb{Z}/(p-1)^2$ the maximal finite subgroup of the Morava stabilizer group at height $p-1$. Inverse Galois theory produces from $G'$ alone a curve $X$, the unique curve of minimal genus with $\operatorname{Aut}(X) \simeq G'$; its ramification, its field of definition and its equation are consequences of the group, not choices. We prove a $G'$-equivariant equivalence between the deformations of $X$ and Lubin--Tate space, so that the Lubin--Tate action of $G'$ is the action of $\operatorname{Aut}(X)$ on deformations of the curve. The proof is a coordinate-free Kodaira--Spencer argument reducing to a single character count. The action becomes explicit: $G'$ acts through $\mathbb{F}_p \rtimes \mathbb{F}_p^\times$ shifting and scaling $p+1$ points on $\mathbb{P}^1$. From this we compute $H^*(G', π_* E_{p-1})$ and its Tate cohomology. One identity, $π^{p-1} = -p$, runs through every section.