SINGULARITY AVOIDANCE DURING GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE

The singularity theorems depend on reasonableness assumptions concerni ng the properties of the matter source in Einstein gravity. Known quan tum effects in general relativity indicate that such assumptions are v iolated, specifically in the strong held regions surrounding black hol es and perhaps other highly condensed objects such as neutron stars. O n the other hand, alternative quantum effects lead to the hypothesis o f Hawking radiation, raising questions about information loss and the prospect that black holes may evaporate. Although not well localized, this radiation would nevertheless tend to have strong support in regio ns where reasonable assumptions about singularity formation break down . We discuss the outlook for gravitational ''collapse'' processes whic h avoid singularity formation while, at the same time, preserving the conditions necessary for the development of Hawking radiation. It is f ound that the existence of this radiation subtly changes the spacetime geometry in the neighbourhood of the ''horizon'', partly clarifying t he emission process, giving rise to conditions compatible with the sin gularity avoidance, and indicating specific conditions which must prev ail in order to ensure the absence of singularities. Further questions about particular aspects of the evaporation are also discussed, altho ugh open questions remain.