Sun activity: Solar Cycle 25 surpasses Solar Cycle 24’s peak

Today's Solar Cycle news (more at the link, photos and graphics)

"Sun activity for July 4, 2023: Solar Cycle 25 surpasses Solar Cycle 24’s peak

Today’s top news: Solar Cycle 25 has exceeded expectations, with its June 2023 sunspot count surpassing the maximum reached by Solar Cycle 24. A couple of weeks ago we reported that the sun had 16 labeled sunspots on its Earth-facing side, a high point for the year. We mentioned that this high point could help to record a peak for Solar Cycle 25, and today it is confirmed: the sunspot count for June 2023 reached 163, beating Solar Cycle 24’s highest monthly value of 146 back in February 2014. We have not seen a count like this since September 2002. This points to Solar Cycle 25 being stronger than its predecessor and stronger than predicted. Solar Cycle 25’s current levels are a year and a half to two years ahead of the forecast. And we have not reached the solar maximum yet … So, more action is on its way!"