New Delhi: A team of international astrophysicists has discovered a massive structure of young galaxies dating back 12.6 billion years. The discovery led by India’s Ronaldo Laishram offers fresh insight into the beginnings of the universe and how galaxies evolve.
Laishram, who is from Manipur, named the discovery after the Loktak Lake in his home state. According to the study, the Loktak Protocluster has existed since the universe was around 1.2 billion years old. Scientists drew a parallel between the cluster’s four connected concentrations of evolving galaxies and the phumdis in Loktak Lake.
In astrophysics, a protocluster is a collection of young galaxies in the early universe that serve as precursors to fully formed galaxies. They are often described as “cities of galaxies.”
Speaking to ThePrint, the 29-year-old said that for him, Loktak was never just a lake, but rather a mirror and a lifeline for the entire state.
“It is woven into our identity, our stories, and the lives of our people in ways that are difficult to put into words,” he said.
The formation of the cluster immediately reminded him of the lake. Laishram added that it was the most “natural” name for it.
For him, it was also a personal tribute to a state that is full of suffering, strength and serenity, but is often forgotten.
“I wanted to do something that placed Manipur not just on a map, but in the story of the Universe itself. Something that would remain long after all of us are gone,” Laishram said.
He added: “Loktak will echo in the story of the Universe forever. That is the greatest tribute I could offer to home.”
Manipur Chief Minister Khemchand Yumnam on X shared Laishram’s achievement.
“Manipur on the global scientific map and stands as a proud testament to the talent and excellence of our people,” the CM posted.
N Biren Singh, former chief minister of Manipur and a member of the state’s legislative assembly, congratulated Laishram for his discovery.
“A remarkable achievement that has brought global recognition to Manipur and our iconic Loktak Lake,” the BJP member wrote on Facebook.
Singh added that by connecting the name “Loktak” with the story of the universe, Laishram has “made every Manipuri proud.”
Discovering Loktak
Researchers first found the cluster through Japan’s Subaru telescope in Hawaii, before further examining it via the James Webb Space Telescope.
The team led by Laishram, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), used the Subaru to conduct a sky survey focusing on Lyman-alpha emission, an intense ultraviolet spectral line of atomic hydrogen.
Laishram described protoclusters as the universe’s “construction sites.”
“Finding such a clearly organised system at this early epoch gives us a rare chance to study how the environment affects galaxy growth in the young universe,” he added.
The discovery shows how environmental effects shape galaxies long before galaxy clusters become fully formed.
It further suggests that galaxies are defined not just by what they are born with but also where.
The study titled “Discovery of a z ≃ 4.9 Lyα Emitter Protocluster: Wavelength-dependent Environmental Effects on Galaxy Structure” was first published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
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Who is Ronaldo Laishram?
Born in Manipur’s Khangabok, Laishram completed his PhD from Tohoku University in Japan. He is also a visiting researcher at Caltech, Pasadena, and Northwestern University, among others, in the United States.
In 2024, Laishram co-founded OviVerse Private Limited, a global community of mentors, professionals, and learners. OviVerse works on bridging the gap between education and career success.
His focus, however, lies in exploring the mysteries of galaxy formation and evolution.