Circles \(\mathcal{C}_1\) and \(\mathcal{C}_2\) with centers at \(C_1\) and \(C_2\) respectively, intersect at two points \(A\) and \(B\). Points \(P\) and \(Q\) are varying points on \(\mathcal{C}_1\) and \(\mathcal{C}_2\), respectively, such that \(P\), \(Q\) and \(B\) are collinear and \(B\) is always between \(P\) and \(Q\). Let lines \(PC_1\) and \(QC_2\) intersect at \(R\), let \(I\) be the incenter of \(\Delta PQR\), and let \(S\) be the circumcenter of \(\Delta PIQ\). Show that as \(P\) and \(Q\) vary, \(S\) traces the arc of a circle whose center is concyclic with \(A\), \(C_1\) and \(C_2\).
In the circumcircle of $\triangle AC_1C_2$ consider $M$ as the midpoint of the arc $C_1C_2$ not containing $A$. It is easy to show with a typical spiral similarity that $\triangle AC_1P\sim\triangle AMS\sim\triangle AC_2Q$, then $MS=MA$ and we are done.
In my solution, I’ll refer to Circles $\mathcal{C}_1$ and $\mathcal{C}_2$ as $\Gamma_1$ and $\Gamma_2$ respectively instead.
$WLOG$, Let $\Gamma_2$ be not smaller than $\Gamma_1$
First, we define some points
Let $X,Y$ be the intersection of the external angle bisector of $\angle C_1BC_2$ with $\Gamma_1,\Gamma_2$ distinct from $B$
$Z=XC_1 \cap YC_2$
$K$ be the intersection of the perpendicular to $XZ$ through $X$ and the perpendicular to $YZ$ through $Y$
$O$ be the center of $(XYZ)$
$U = XZ \cap \Gamma_1$
$V = YZ \cap \Gamma_2$
$M_1,M_2$ be the midpoints of $XZ$ and $YZ$ respectively
Let $\measuredangle$ and $\angle$ be directed and standard angles respectively.
Claim: $XZ=YZ=R_{\Gamma_1}+R_{\Gamma_2}$
ProofSince $XU$ and $YV$ are diameters, then $\angle UBX = 90^{\circ}, \angle VBY = 90^{\circ}$
Therefore, $U,V,B$ are collinear.
Since $$\measuredangle ZXY = \measuredangle C_1XB = \measuredangle XBC_1 = \measuredangle C_2BY = \measuredangle BYC_2 = \measuredangle XYZ,$$then $XZ=YZ$
Since $$\measuredangle ZUV = \measuredangle XUB = 90^{\circ} - \measuredangle YXZ = 90^{\circ} - ZYX = \measuredangle BVY =\measuredangle UVZ,$$then $UZ=VZ$
Therefore,$$XZ+YZ=XU+UZ=YZ=XU+VZ+YZ=XU+YV=2R_{\Gamma_1}+2R_{\Gamma_2}$$$$\implies XZ=YZ=R_{\Gamma_1}+R_{\Gamma_2}$$Thus, the Claim is proven ${}_\blacksquare$
Claim: Points $A,C_1,C_2,O,R,Z$ are cyclic
ProofClearly, $\measuredangle OM_1Z = \measuredangle OM_2Z = 90^{\circ}$. Therefore, $ZM_1OM_2$ is cyclic
Note that
$$C_1M_1=XM_1-XC_1=\frac{1}{2} XZ - R_{\Gamma_1} = \frac{1}{2} (R_{\Gamma_1}+R_{\Gamma_2}) - R_{\Gamma_1} = \frac{1}{2}R_{\Gamma_2} - \frac{1}{2}R_{\Gamma_1}$$$$C_2M_2 = YC_2 - YM_2 = R_{\Gamma_2} - frac{1}{2} YZ = R_{\Gamma_2} - frac{1}{2} (R_{\Gamma_1}+R_{\Gamma_2}) = \frac{1}{2}R_{\Gamma_2} - \frac{1}{2}R_{\Gamma_1}$$Therefore, $C_1M_1=C_2M_2$
Since $XZ=YZ$, then $\triangle XYZ$ is isosceles, so by symmetry $OM_1=OM_2$
Since $$C_1M_1=C_2M_2, OM_1=OM_2, \angle OM_1C_1= 90^{\circ} = \angle OM_2C_2,$$then $\triangle OM_1C_1 \cong \triangle OM_2C_2$
Therefore, $$\measuredangle ZC_1O = \measuredangle M_1C_1O = \measuredangle M_2C_2O = \measuredangle ZC_2O,$$so $O$ lies on $(ZC_1C_2)$
Since $$\measuredangle C_1AC_2 = \measuredangle C_2BC_1 = \measuredangle XBC_1 + \measuredangle C_2BY = \measuredangle C_1XB + \measuredangle BYC_2 = \measuredangle XZY = \measuredangle C_1ZC_2,$$then $A$ lies on $(ZC_1C_2)$ as well
Similarly, $$\measuredangle C_1AC_2 = \measuredangle C_2BC_1 = \measuredangle PBC_1 + \measuredangle C_2BQ = \measuredangle C_1PB + \measuredangle BQC_2 = \measuredangle PRQ = \measuredangle C_1RC_2,$$so $R$ lies on $(ZC_1C_2)$ which contains $O$ and $Z$
Therefore, points $A,C_1,C_2,O,R,Z$ are cyclic
Thus, the Claim is proven ${}_\blacksquare$
Claim: Points $A,P,Q,R$ are cyclic
ProofSince $$\measuredangle C_1PA = \measuredangle PAC_1 = 90^{\circ} - \measuredangle ABP = 90^{\circ} - \measuredangle ABQ = \measuredangle C_2QA = \measuredangle QAC_2,$$then $\triangle AC_1P \sim \triangle AC_2Q$
Therefore, $A$ is the center of the spiral similarity sending $PC_1$ to $QC_2$, so it is also the center of the spiral similarity sending $C_1C_2$ to $PQ$
Therefore, $\triangle AC_1C_2 \sim \triangle APQ$, so $\measuredangle PAQ = \measuredangle C_1AC_2 = \measuredangle C_1RC_2 = \measuredangle PRQ$
Therefore, points $A,P,Q,R$ are cyclic
Thus, the Claim is proven ${}_\blacksquare$
Claim: $S = PX \cap QY$
ProofBy the Incenter-Excenter Lemma, $S$ is the midpoint of arc $\overarc{PQ}$ of $(PQR)$
Let $S’=PX \cap QY$
It suffices to show that $S’$ is also the midpoint of $\overarc{PQ}$ of $(PQR)$ to get $S=S’$
But note that $A$ is the Miquel point of complete quadrilateral $BXS’Q$, so $A$ is the center of the spiral similarity sending $PQ$ to $XY$
Therefore, $$\measuredangle PS’Q
= \measuredangle S’PQ + \measuredangle PQS’
= \measuredangle XPB + \measuredangle BQY$$$$= \measuredangle XAB + \measuredangle BAY
= \measuredangle XAY = \measuredangle PAQ = \measuredangle PZQ$$$\implies S’$ lies on $(PQR)$
Since $$\measuredangle C_1XA = \measuredangle XAC_1 = 90^{\circ} - \measuredangle ABX = 90^{\circ} - \measuredangle ABY = \measuredangle C_2YA = \measuredangle YAC_2,$$then $\triangle C_1BX \sim \triangle C_2BY$
Therefore, $$\frac{AX}{AY}=\frac{C_1X}{C_2Y}=\frac{BX}{BY}$$so $AB$ bisects $\angle XAY$
Therefore, $$\measuredangle S’PQ = \measuredangle XPB = \measuredangle XAB = \measuredangle BAY = \measuredangle BQY = \measuredangle PQS’$$so $S’P=S’Q$
Therefore, $S’$ is indeed the midpoint of $\overarc{PQ}$ in $(PQR)$
Thus, the Claim is proven ${}_\blacksquare$
Claim: Points $K,S,X,T,Z$ are cyclic
ProofClearly, $K,X,Y,Z$ are cyclic by $\measuredangle KXZ = 90^{\circ} = \measuredangle KYZ$
Therefore, $$\measuredangle XSY = \measuredangle PSQ = \measuredangle PAQ = \measuredangle C_1AC_2 = \measuredangle C_1ZC_2 = \measuredangle XZY$$So $S$ is cyclic with $K,X,Y,Z$ also
Thus, the Claim is proven ${}_\blacksquare$
Since $S$ lies on $(XYZ)$, which is fixed, then as $P$ and $Q$ vary, $S$ will trace an arc of the circle $(XYZ)$, and its center $O$ is indeed concyclic with $A,C_1,C_2$ ${}_\blacksquare$
Cute
Claim. $ARC_1C_2$ is cyclic.
$$\angle C_1AC_2=\angle C_1BC_2=180^\circ-\angle C_1BP-\angle C_2BQ=180^\circ-\angle C_1PB-\angle C_2QB=\angle C_1RC_2\qquad \square$$Claim. $ARPQ$ is cyclic.
$$\angle PAQ=180^\circ-\angle APQ-\angle AQP=180^\circ-\frac{\angle AC_1B}{2}-\frac{AC_2B}{2}=180^\circ-\angle AC_1C_2-\angle AC_2C_1=\angle C_1AC_2=\angle C_1RC_2=\angle PRQ\qquad \square$$
We claim that $ACS$ is an isosceles triangle, where $C$ is the midpoint of arc $C_1C_2$ not containing $A$ of circle $(ARC_1C_2)$.
Considering triangle $PRQ$, we have by Trillium theorem (or The Incenter-Excenter Lemma), $S$ lies on $(PRQ)$. Also, since $C$ is the midpoint of arc $C_1C_2$ not containing $A$ of circle $(ARC_1C_2)$, we have that $RC$ is the angle bisector of $\angle PRC$. Thus, we conclude that $R,I,C,S$ are collinear. Also, by The Incenter-Excenter Lemma (or idk what it is called, but it is well-known) we have that $PRQS$ is cyclic.
By discussed results, and two claims above, we have the angle chase showing that $$\angle ASR=\angle APR=2\angle AC_1R=2\angle ACR\implies \angle ASC=\angle SAC.$$We are done.