Cosmological Model with a Local Void: New Supernova Constraints

Abstract

A simple inhomogeneous cosmological model with a local void is constrained with the latest Union supernova compilation. To fit the supernova data, a large local void on the scales of 1 Gpc is found, contrary to the small scales of 200 Mpc in the previous finding. A more realistic inhomogeneous cosmological model may be required to fit the supernova data. Alternatively, a clumpy universe with clumpiness parameter < 1 can fit the supernova data with reduced local void scales.