Imphal: In a significant breakthrough in astronomy, Dr Ronaldo Laishra, a 29-year-old astrophysicist from Manipur, has named a newly discovered ancient cosmic structure after the iconic Loktak Lake, putting Manipur into global astronomical research.
A resident of Khangabok in Thoubal district, Dr Laishram, who is currently working as a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), discovered the huge structure of young galaxies in the early Universe, which he named as the “Loktak Protocluster”. The discovery was made using data from Japan’s Subaru Telescope and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study this distant structure.
Speaking to media persons on Tuesday in Imphal, Dr Laishram explained that the protocluster is an early form of a galaxy cluster. It can be understood as a “city of galaxies” that is still being built by gravity. The “Loktak Protocluster” is a galaxy structure dating back 12.6 billion years, from the time when the Universe was only about 1.2 billion years old, he said.
According to Dr Laishram, the study revealed that even in the early Universe, galaxies in crowded regions were already exhibiting differently from galaxies in quieter, less-populated regions. In simple words, the result shows that where a galaxy lives can affect how it grows, he explained.
Dr Laishram completed both his Master’s and PhD in Astronomy at Tohoku University, Japan. He began his research career at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) in October 2024, where he has since focused his work on galaxy formation and evolution in the early Universe.
However, this latest discovery is not the first for Dr Laishram. His passion for astronomy began early, and soon after completing his Class 12, he discovered a preliminary asteroid. In recognition of this achievement, Dr Laishram was felicitated in 2025 by former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. This early accomplishment set the stage for his continued contributions to astronomical research.
Over the years, he has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed astronomy papers in international journals. And the latest discovery of the “Loktak Protocluster” has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, one of the leading peer-reviewed journals in astronomy.
Naming after Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India:
This groundbreaking cosmic discovery has been named after Manipur’s Loktak Lake, which is famous for its floating phumdis, masses of vegetation, soil and organic matter, within a single connected body of water. Similarly, the newly identified cosmic structure, the Loktak Protocluster, comprises four connected concentrations of galaxies that are part of one large evolving system.
For Dr Laishram, the resemblance between the interconnected galaxies of the Loktak Protocluster and the floating phumdis of Loktak Lake is not only a testament to scientific brilliance but also a reflection of his deep emotional connection to his roots. Naming the discoevery after Loktak Lake serves as a personal tribute to Manipur, a way of telling the world that this land, its lakes, and its people also have a place in the story of the Universe.
“Loktak is deeply connected to Manipur’s identity. Naming this discovery after Loktak Lake is my way of connecting our home with the wider Universe. In that sense, the name Loktak will continue to echo in the story of the Universe,” said Dr Laishram.
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Beyond research, Dr Laishram is the Founding Coordinator of the Manipur Astronomical Society (MAS), an initiative dedicated to promoting astronomy awareness and science education among students and young people in Manipur and Northeast India. He is also a co-founder of OviEdu, a mentorship and career development platform, and is actively involved with MitSna Foundation, a registered Section 8 non-profit working to promote quality education in Manipur.
This discovery is also expected to inspire students and young people in Manipur and Northeast India by showing that global scientific research is not distant from their own land, culture, and imagination. From the floating islands of Loktak Lake to a giant structure of galaxies in the early Universe, the name Loktak is now connected to modern astronomy.
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