Moonshine - The First Quarter Century and Beyond

This volume examines the impact of the 'Monstrous Moonshine' paper on mathematics and theoretical physics.

This edited volume contains a mixture of expository and current research material that illustrates the far-reaching impact of 'Monstrous Moonshine' on mathematics and theoretical physics and reflects the range of research activity that has stemmed from the Moonshine conjectures. Potential directions for future development are also discussed.The theory of 'Monstrous Moonshine' has been a major development in mathematics since 1979. Beginning with remarkable conjectures relating finite group theory and number theory that stimulated an outpouring of new ideas, 'Monstrous Moonshine' deeply involves many different areas of mathematics, as well as string theory and conformal field theory in physics. It has changed the landscape of many fields. This volume consists of 17 papers by research leaders, based on talks presented at a workshop held to mark the anniversary of the 'Monstrous Moonshine' conjectures. The papers, which include surveys of many important developments, will give the reader a view of a wide range of current activity and promising directions for future research.