Hawking radiation for an observer at infinity

Question

As an external observer at infinity, I observe a star collapsing. But because the surface of the star will be infinitely redshifted, I will never see the formation of the black hole. For me, there will be always some matter outside, it never crosses the event horizon.

So, can I observe the Hawking radiation if I never observe the formation of the black hole ?

Answer 1

You are quite correct that any external observer will never see a true event horizon form, however they will see an apparent horizon and an apparent horizon generates Hawking radiation.

So yes you will observe Hawking radiation from an object that is on its way to becoming a black hole.