Vertex operator algebras, extended diagram, and McKay's observation on the Monster simple group

We study McKay's observation on the Monster simple group, which relates the -involutions of the Monster simple group to the extended diagram, using the theory of vertex operator algebras (VOAs). We first consider the sublattices of the lattice obtained by removing one node from the extended diagram at each time. We then construct a certain coset (or commutant) subalgebra associated with in the lattice VOA . There are two natural conformal vectors of central charge in such that their inner product is exactly the value predicted by Conway (1985). The Griess algebra of coincides with the algebra described in his Table 3. There is a canonical automorphism of of order . Such an automorphism can be extended to the Leech lattice VOA , and it is in fact a product of two Miyamoto involutions. In the sequel (2005) to this article, the properties of will be discussed in detail. It is expected that if is actually contained in the Moonshine VOA , the product of two Miyamoto involutions is in the desired conjugacy class of the Monster simple group.