Sunspot Activity Finally Perking Up

By Chuck Cagara

Scientists are in general agreement that the next Solar Cycle (called Cycle #25) for sunspots began around December 2019 with ‘Solar Max’ expected to peak in 2025.

Finally, after a prolonged quiet period (called Solar Minimum) of extreme inactivity, we are seeing some notable sunspot activity developing.

Here is how the surface appeared today (Dec. 26) in photos showing the full sphere and a closer detail view.  Note that the larger, #2794, is approximately 3 times the diameter of Earth.