An Indian researcher based in Japan has named a newly identified large cosmic structure of galaxies after Manipur’s Loktak Lake, in an effort to “immortalise” the identity of the northeastern state in the universe.
Ronaldo Laishram, who led an international research team as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, said the structure was analysed using data from the Subaru Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope.
He said the study, initiated around October 2024 as part of a wider research programme, has been published in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters. Laishram said the idea of naming the newly discovered structure after Loktak Lake came to him immediately after the finding.
Also read: Himachal considers simplifying payments for apple growers
“When I first discovered it, the first thought that came to my mind was to do something for my home state Manipur. Loktak is the mirror and lifeline of Manipur. It is not just a lake; it is deeply embedded in the identity, stories and daily lives of our people. I wanted to place Manipur and Loktak within the story of the universe itself,” he said.
The 29-year-old researcher from Khangabok in Manipur’s Thoubal district said he initially considered several culturally significant names from the region before finalising Loktak. “I thought of names such as Taoroinai, a mythical serpent associated with Manipur’s cultural and religious traditions. But when I observed the four distinct galaxy concentrations forming one larger connected system, Loktak felt like the most natural choice,” he said. He added that a personal memory also influenced his decision, recalling an aerial image he once saw of Loktak Lake that highlighted its interconnected floating ecosystem.
Describing the lake, Laishram said Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India and a vital source of livelihood for thousands of fishermen.
He also noted that it hosts India’s only floating national park, home to the endangered Sangai deer, also known as the brow-antlered deer. “By naming this discovery Loktak, I want to immortalise its name forever in the cosmos,” he said. Laishram said the naming has already sparked curiosity among international researchers about Manipur and its ecology, which he sees as a positive outcome.
“Loktak deserves global recognition,” he added. According to him, the findings suggest that even around 12.6 billion years ago—when the universe was only about 1.2 billion years old—the surrounding environment of galaxies played a crucial role in their evolution. He explained that galaxies in dense regions evolved differently from those in more isolated areas, providing new evidence that environment strongly influences galactic development.
Laishram is the son of Laishram Mahajon Singh and Laishram Sanahanbi Devi and is the youngest of five siblings from Khangabok village. A computer science and engineering graduate from JSS Science and Technology University (formerly SJCE Mysuru), he later completed his Master’s and PhD in astronomy and astrophysics at Tohoku University.
Follow us
