Optical Transient Near GRB970508 Shows Distant Redshift . ... U. Amsterdam Explanation: The GRB distance scale controversy may have just ended with a flash . Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) are powerful explosions occurring in seemingly random positions on the sky. ... If this source and GRB970508 are related, the GRB itself must be many billions of light-years away and the 30-year controversy on the distance scale to GRBs will draw dramatically to a close. ... NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...