This is the first part of the work studying the family $𝔉$ of all rational maps of degree three with two superattracting fixed points. We determine the topological type of the moduli space of $𝔉$ and give a detailed study of the subfamily ${ℱ}_2$ consisting of maps with a critical point which is periodic of period 2. In particular, we describe a parabolic bifurcation in ${ℱ}_2$ from Newton maps to maps with so-called exotic basins.

This is a continuation of the work [Ba] dealing with the family of all cubic rational maps with two supersinks. We prove the existence of the following parabolic bifurcation of Mandelbrot-like sets in the parameter space of this family. Starting from a Mandelbrot-like set in cubic Newton maps and changing parameters in a continuous way, we construct a path of Mandelbrot-like sets ending in the family of parabolic maps with a fixed point of multiplier 1. Then it bifurcates into two paths of Mandelbrot-like...