Quantum Gravitational Hair in Gravastars and Observational Tests

Abstract: Using the effective field theory of quantum gravity at second order in curvature, we calculate quantum corrections to the metric of gravastars and the closely related dark energy stars. We find that the quantum corrections in the exterior region depend on the equation of state of the gravastar, thus providing an example of quantum gravitational hair. We continue by calculating the induced quantum corrections to the photon sphere and the bending of light rays in the weak field regime. These corrections, albeit Planck scale suppressed, allow in principle to distinguish these objects from black holes observationally.