ON THE OPTIMAL COVERING OF EQUAL METRIC BALLS IN A SPHERE

In this paper we consider covering problems in spherical geometry. Let $cov_q{S_1}^n$ be the smallest radius of q equal metric balls that cover n-dimensional unit sphere ${S_1}^n$. We show that $cov_q{S_1}^n\;=\;\frac{\pi}{2}\;for\;2\leq\;q\leq\;n+1$ and $\pi-arccos(\frac{-1}{n+1})$ for q = n ＋ 2. The configuration of centers of balls realizing $cov_q{S_1}^n$ are established, simultaneously. Moreover, some properties of $cov_{q}$X for the compact metric space X, in general, are proved.