The strong Franchetta Conjecture in arbitrary characteristics

Abstract

Using Moriwaki's calculation of the Q-Picard group for the moduli space of curves, I prove the strong Franchetta Conjecture in all characteristics. That is, the canonical class generates the group of rational points on the Picard scheme for the generic curve of genus g>2. Similar results hold for generic pointed curves. Moreover, I show that Hilbert's Irreducibility Theorem implies that there are many other nonclosed points in the moduli space of curves with such properties.

23 pages, major extension, to appear in Internat. J. Math