Finite orbit decomposition of real flag manifolds

Abstract

Let $G$ be a connected real semi-simple Lie group and $H$ a closed connected subgroup. Let $P$ be a minimal parabolic subgroup of $G$. It is shown that $H$ has an open orbit on the flag manifold $G/P$ if and only if it has finitely many orbits on $G/P$. This confirms a conjecture by T. Matsuki.