We construct and study a natural homeomorphism between the moduli space of
polynomial cubic differentials of degree d on the complex plane and the space
of projective equivalence classes of oriented convex polygons with d+3
vertices. This map arises from the construction of a complete hyperbolic affine
sphere with prescribed Pick differential, and can be seen as an analogue of the
Labourie-Loftin parameterization of convex RP^2 structures on a compact surface
by the bundle of holomorphic cubic differentials over Teichmuller space.Comment: 64 pages, 5 figures. v3: Minor revisions according to referee report.
v2: Corrections in section 5 and related new material in appendix
