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Let $\pi:X\to E$ be a finite étale morphism, where $E$ is an elliptic curve over a number field $K$. Assume $X$ to be connected, and to be of genus 1.

Edit: Assume $X$ and $E$ have semi-stable reduction over $O_K$.

Is the minimal discriminant of $X$ equal to the minimal discriminant of $E$ multiplied by $\deg \pi$?

What if the genus of $X$ is bigger than 1. (This can't happen by QiL's comment below.)

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    Hmmm...I just have a feeling one one should be able to say "something" about the minimal dis$c$riminants...I guess it was too much to hope for.2011-11-25

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If $E_1 \to E_2$ is an isogeny of elliptic curves over a number field $K$, then $E_1$ and $E_2$ have the same places of bad reduction, and so their minimal discriminants are divisible by the same primes.

As an example of how minimal discriminants can change under isogeny, consider the map $X_1(11) \to X_0(11)$ of elliptic curves over $\mathbb Q$, which is an isogeny of degree $5$. Up to possible $\pm$ signs (which I don't remember off the top of my head), the minimal discriminant of $X_1(11)$ is $11$, and of $X_0(11)$ is $11^5$.

In both cases the conductor is the same (this is a general feature of isogenous elliptic curves) --- namely $11$. The power of $11$ dividing the minimal discriminant relates to the size of the connected component group of the fibre over $11$ of the Neron model. (This fibre is connected for $X_1(11)$ --- in fact it is general result of Conrad, Edixhoven, and Stein that the Neron model of the Jacobian of $X_1(p)$ over $\mathbb Z$ has connected fibre at $p$ for all primes $p$ --- and has component group of order $5$ for $X_0(11)$.)

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    @Harry: Dear Harry, You have the right general principle, but the wrong $H$. For $\Gamma_1(N)$, the $H$ should be the subgroup of $GL_2(\mathbb Z/n)$ consisting of matrices of the form \begin{pmatrix} * & * \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}, and $\det$ induces a surjection from this $H$ to $(\mathbb Z/n)^{\times}$. Regards,2012-03-19