Asem Bhakta
Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: In a major scientific achievement linking Manipur to the story of the early Universe, Manipuri astrophysicist Dr. Ronaldo Laishram has led an international team of researchers in discovering a massive young galaxy structure dating back around 12.6 billion years and named it the “Loktak Protocluster” after the iconic Loktak Lake.
The discovery, published in _The Astrophysical Journal Letters_, provides important new insights into how galaxies evolved in the early stages of the Universe. Astronomers describe a protocluster as an early-stage galaxy cluster — a massive system of galaxies still forming under the force of gravity.
According to the research team, the Loktak Protocluster existed when the Universe was only about 1.2 billion years old. The structure consists of four interconnected concentrations of galaxies evolving together, drawing comparison with the floating phumdis of Loktak Lake.
Dr. Ronaldo Laishram, currently a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, said naming the discovery after Loktak Lake was a tribute to his homeland and identity. He remarked that Loktak is deeply connected to the cultural identity of Manipur and expressed pride that the name of the lake would now be associated with the wider story of the Universe.
The international team conducted the study using observations from the Subaru Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. Their findings suggest that galaxies located in dense cosmic environments were already evolving differently from galaxies in less crowded regions even during the early phases of the Universe. The study indicates that surrounding environments may have played a major role in shaping galaxy formation and development.
Originally from Khangabok in Thoubal district, Dr. Laishram completed his Master’s degree and PhD in astronomy from Tohoku University before joining the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan in Tokyo. His research focuses on galaxy formation and evolution, and he has contributed to several international astronomy publications.
His interest in astronomy reportedly began at a young age. At 18, he discovered a preliminary asteroid and was later felicitated by former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Apart from his scientific work, Dr. Laishram is also the founding coordinator of the Manipur Astronomical Society, which promotes astronomy awareness among students and youth in the Northeast. He is also associated with educational initiatives including OviEdu and MitSna Foundation.
The research paper documenting the discovery is titled “Discovery of a z ≃ 4.9 Lyα Emitter Protocluster: Wavelength-dependent Environmental Effects on Galaxy Structure.”
