This paper presents results of NIR photometric observations of IRC + 10216 star during the time interval 1965-1990, which were combined with measurements of the circumstellar shell surrounding IRC + 10216 by IR speckle interferometry. Using these data together with published observations, a very precise light curve was constructed, demonstrating the occurrence of long-term changes in the circumstellar shell surrounding IRC + 10216. The observations are discussed in the framework of two alternatives: (1) the occurrence of dynamical changes in the shell and (2) blocking of the direct light from the star to a portion of the shell by intervening material.
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Dyck et al. (1991) studied this question.