Chow points of C-orbits

Abstract

We consider free algebraic actions of the additive group of complex numbers on a complex vector space X embedded in the complex projective space. We find an explicit formula for the map p that assigns to a generic point x in X the Chow point of the closure of the orbit through x. The properties Hausdorff quotient topology and proper action are equivalently characterized by the closure of the image of p in the closed Chow variety.