Gyulbudaghian's Nebula

The Gyulbudaghian's nebula is one of the very few deep sky objects varying in shape over a short time. The reason for the variation is unclear. Some suspect the source to be a variable star. It may also be some moves in the dust clouds in front of the star.

I have been imaging this nebula nearly every summer since 2002. It disappeared completely in 2009 and appeared again in 2010. Its 2013 shape is very close to its 2002 shape. It nearly disappeared in 2019 and totally in 2020.

In 2007, I could observe strong variations in shape over a short period of 4 months.
In 2015, I imaged the nebula in September and October and the shape changed...
 

A short video, showing evolution from 2002 to 2022:

Aug 13, 2002 image:

Aug 5, 2008 image, the nebula is barely visible, it will not reappear until 2010

Aug 30, 2013 image, the nebula is back in all its glory...

Oct 14, 2014 image, little change...

Sep 10, 2015 -> Oct 8, 2015, change in shape is obvious over one month...

August 2016

No image in 2017 due to bad weather conditions...

September 2018:

September 2019, the nebula is barely visible

September 2020, the nebula disappeared

September 2021, reappearing...

September 2022

September 2023

August 2024

Animation showing quick variations in shape from August to November 2007: