The Close AGN Reference Survey (CARS): Mrk 1018 halts dimming and
  experiences strong short-term variability
  After changing optical AGN type from 1.9 to 1 in 1984, the AGN Mrk 1018
recently reverted back to its type 1.9 state. Our ongoing monitoring now
reveals that the AGN has halted its dramatic dimming, reaching a minimum around
October 2016. The minimum was followed by an outburst rising with $\sim$0.25
U-band mag/month. The rebrightening lasted at least until February 2017, as
confirmed by joint Chandra and Hubble observations. Monitoring was resumed in
July 2017 after the source emerged from sunblock, at which point the AGN was
found only $\sim$0.4 mag brighter than its minimum. The intermittent outburst
was accompanied by the appearance of a red wing asymmetry in broad-line shape,
indicative of an inhomogeneous broad-line region. The current flickering
brightness of Mrk 1018 following its rapid fading either suggests that the
source has reignited, remains variable at a low level, or may continue dimming
over the next few years. Distinguishing between these possibilities requires
continuous multiwavelength monitoring.
