Spectroscopy of galaxies in the Bootes void

We investigate the physical properties of a sample of 26 galaxies in the Bootes void and classify these galaxies based on the emission lines in their spectra. Fourteen galaxies are classified as H II galaxies with properties similar to field H II galaxies. Two of these galaxies, 1432+5302 and 1507+4554, are extreme starburst galaxies. Approximately half of the galaxies with measurable Halpha + [N II] emission have elevated rates of star formation. Analysis of the galaxy continua suggests that approximately one-third of the void galaxies have large populations of blue stars. Stellar absorption features from metals in more than half the galaxies in the sample indicate the presence of late-type stars. Emission lines are detected from the H I galaxy 1517+3949 for the first time. Two systems, 1510+4727 and 1517+3956, are identified as closely interacting galaxy pairs, bringing the total number of known galaxy pairs in the void to four. The galaxy 1458+4944 is a LINER, making at least five AGNs in the void. Classifications of eight galaxies in the sample remain unknown. The galaxies in the Bootes void are similar to field emission-line galaxies with respect to stellar populations, emission-line properties, fraction of AGN and fraction of galaxy pairs. This result is inconsistent with some models of galaxy formation in low-density environments.