Explosions in the Empty: A Survey of Transients in Local Void Galaxies

TL;DR

This survey analyzes transient astrophysical events in local void and non-void galaxies, revealing differences in supernova and gamma-ray burst occurrences influenced by large-scale cosmic environments.

Contribution

It provides the first systematic comparison of transient rates in void versus non-void galaxies, highlighting environmental effects on stellar evolution and transient production.

Findings

Core-collapse supernovae are more common in void galaxies.

Type Ia supernovae are less frequent in voids.

A short-duration GRB was hosted by a void galaxy.

Abstract

We present a systematic analysis of transient astrophysical events -- including supernovae (SNe), gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), and fast radio bursts (FRBs) -- in void and non-void galaxies within the local universe ($0.005 < z < 0.05$). Cosmic voids, defined by low galaxy densities and characterized by minimal environmental interactions, offer a natural laboratory for isolating the impact of large-scale underdensities on stellar evolution and transient production. Using multi-wavelength data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the Sternberg Astronomical Institute Supernova Catalogue, and high-energy space observatories, we compare transient occurrence rates and host galaxy properties across environments. We find that core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) are significantly more common in void galaxies, indicating that massive star formation remains active in underdense regions. In contrast, Type Ia supernovae are less frequent in voids, consistent with a scarcity of older stellar populations. Notably, we identify a short-duration GRB hosted by a void galaxy, demonstrating that compact object mergers can occur in isolated environments. Additionally, we find no FRBs associated with void galaxies. Taken together, these results show that cosmic voids exert a measurable influence on the star formation history of galaxies and hence on the production of transients.