The Paczynski - Lamb Debate in 1995

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In the first frame, moderator Martin Rees is on the left with Bodhan Paczynski at center and Donald Q. Lamb on the right.

The Distance Scale to Gamma Ray Bursts

A Diamond Jubilee Celebration

The distance scale to gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is as uncertain today as the distance scale to spiral nebulae was in 1920. Evidence appears to be mounting that GRBs occur in our Galaxy, but conflicting evidence also appears to be mounting that GRBs occur at cosmological distances. Therefore, at this debate, Lamb and Paczynski publicly disagreed, and each displayed evidence and reasoning on why one distance scale should be preferred over the other.

At the debate each speaker had distributed a written version of their contribution. These papers are here . Revised versions will appear as proceedings of the debate in the main journal of the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

What this debate was about, how it will likely be resolved, and why it is important.
A subjective abstract in three short paragraphs.

The Program distributed at the 1995 Diamond Jubilee Debate. The program includes an introduction, the schedule of events, and a brief bibliography of all the program participants.

Images from the debate. Some photo images are available - updated July 7, 1995.

Comments about the debate. Comments from people who attended the debate are being compiled. Some comments are available - updated June 16, 1995.

A short bibliography for the 1995 debate.
Some of these articles are highly technical in nature.

A Glossary of terms used in the 1995 debate.