Black Hole Bounces on the Road to Quantum Gravity

Abstract

Quantum resolutions of the space-time singularity at the end of gravitational collapse may provide hints towards the properties of a final theory of Quantum-Gravity. The mechanism by which the singularity is avoided and replaced by a bounce depends on the specific behaviour of gravity in the strong field and may have implications for the geometry of the space-time also in the weak field. In the last few decades, several scenarios for black hole bounces have been proposed and I shall argue that the times are now mature to ask the question of whether such bounces can be observed in astrophysical phenomena.