The complex geometry of Lagrange top

Abstract

We prove that the heavy symmetric top (Lagrange, 1788) linearizes on a two-dimensional non-compact algebraic group -- the generalized Jacobian of an elliptic curve with two points identified. This leads to a transparent description of its complex and real invariant level sets. We also deduce, by making use of a Baker-Akhiezer function, simple explicit formulae for the general solution of Lagrange top.