In this paper we study the classification of ancient convex solutions to the mean curvature flow in $\R^{ n+1}$. An open problem related to the classification of type II singularities is whether a convex translating solution is $k$-rotationally symmetric for some integer $2\le k\le n$, namely whether its level set is a sphere or cylinder $S^{ k-1}\times \R^{ n-k}$. In this paper we give an affirmative answer for entire solutions in dimension 2. In high dimensions we prove that there exist non-rotationally symmetric, entire convex translating solutions, but the blow-down in space of any entire convex translating solution is $k$-rotationally symmetric. We also prove that the blow-down in space-time of an ancient convex solution which sweeps the whole space $\R^{ n+1}$ is a shrinking sphere or cylinder.
Categories: math.DG math.AP