Photo Courtesy: nenews
Imphal: A team led by Manipuri astrophysicist Ronaldo Laishram has discovered a massive, ancient cosmic structure dating back 12.6 billion years. The discovery, which sheds new light on the evolution of the early Universe, has been officially named the Loktak Protocluster after Manipur's iconic Loktak Lake.
A protocluster is essentially a city of galaxies that is still taking shape under the influence of gravity. The international research team, utilizing data from the Subaru Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope, found that the structure existed when the Universe was roughly 1.2 billion years old. The system features four distinct concentrations of galaxies linked together, a structure that mirrors the floating phumdi vegetation found in Loktak Lake.
The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggests that a galaxy’s environment significantly influences its growth and development. Findings indicate that galaxies in crowded, dense regions of the early Universe evolved differently than those in sparser areas.
Dr. Laishram, who is originally from the Khangabok region of Manipur and currently works at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, stated that he named the discovery after the lake as a tribute to his homeland. Former Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh praised the achievement as a historic milestone that brings global recognition to the state and inspires local youth to pursue careers in science.
Beyond his recent research, Dr. Laishram is known for his long-standing commitment to science education in Northeast India. He serves as the founding coordinator of the Manipur Astronomical Society and remains active in mentorship programs dedicated to fostering educational development in his home state.
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