On the Star Formation Properties of Void Galaxies

TL;DR

This study compares star formation rates and efficiencies of galaxies in cosmic voids versus denser regions, finding that void environments particularly enhance star formation in dwarf galaxies, indicating a nurturing environment for their evolution.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how large-scale cosmic environments influence star formation and efficiency, especially highlighting the unique effects on dwarf galaxies.

Findings

Void galaxies have higher specific star formation rates than similar galaxies in denser regions.

HI detected dwarf galaxies in voids show increased star formation rates.

Star formation efficiency is higher in dwarf galaxies located in voids.

Abstract

We measure the star formation properties of two large samples of galaxies from the SDSS in large-scale cosmic voids on time scales of 10 Myr and 100 Myr, using H$\alpha$ emission line strengths and GALEX FUV fluxes, respectively. The first sample consists of 109,818 optically selected galaxies. We find that void galaxies in this sample have higher specific star formation rates (SSFRs; star formation rates per unit stellar mass) than similar stellar mass galaxies in denser regions. The second sample is a subset of the optically selected sample containing 8070 galaxies with reliable HI detections from ALFALFA. For the full HI detected sample, SSFRs do not vary systematically with large-scale environment. However, investigating only the HI detected dwarf galaxies reveals a trend towards higher SSFRs in voids. Furthermore, we estimate the star formation rate per unit HI mass (known as the star formation efficiency; SFE) of a galaxy, as a function of environment. For the overall HI detected population, we notice no environmental dependence. Limiting the sample to dwarf galaxies again reveals a trend towards higher SFEs in voids. These results suggest that void environments provide a nurturing environment for dwarf galaxy evolution allowing for higher specific star formation rates and efficiencies.