But a team of astronomers recently analyzed a more recent image of the nebula, taken in 2016 by Hubble, and found that it has faded significantly and changed shape over the course of just 20 years. If dimming continues at current rates, in 20 or 30 years the Stingray Nebula will be barely perceptible.

Do nebulas move?

They do move, but you don't notice it because they are astoundingly, mindbogglingly HUGE, and even fast-moving parts take months and years to show even slight changes.

How do nebulae keep their shape?

Interstellar nebulae

H II regions, like molecular clouds, are shaped by the stars inside them. Radiation ionizes and even pushes away the gas surrounding young, hot stars, breaking up the nebulae.