Active Region 3014 developed into the most prominent sunspot region to date since solar cycle 25 started back in December 2019. AR3014 was initially accompanied by AR2015, which was south of AR2014 when I first observed the pairing on May 16. By May 22, AR3017 had also developed SE of AR3014, while AR3015 had faded. This latter partnership making for an outstanding sunspot grouping util they both moved beyond the western lmb of the Sun on May 26.

Astro Physics 1100GTO German Equatorial Mount

Lunt 100 T-Ha Solarscope f7 (Double Stack)
ZWO ASI174MM camera (Full disk)
ZWO ASI178MM camera/ Astro Physics BARADV 2x (Close-up)
Optec Focuslynx focusing system
Baader FlipMirror II

Astro Physics 105EDF Traveler Refractor f6
Thousand Oaks Type-II Solar Filter
ZWO ASI174MM camera (Full disk)
ZWO ASI178MM camera/ Astro Physics BARADV 2x (Close-up)
Robofocus/Optec Focuslynx Focus system
Baader FlipMirror II

Data acquisition & Processing by David Churchill.

The sun’s activity runs on a roughly 11-year cycle, moving regularly from its most quiet period (solar minimum), to its most active (solar maximum), and back to quiet. Those periods of activity on the sun create what’s known as space weather. Solar cycle prediction helps give scientists a rough idea of the frequency of space weather storms of all types, from radio blackouts to geomagnetic storms and solar radiation storms. Space weather can impact the power grid, satellites, GPS and airlines, as well as astronauts and spacecraft.
Solar Cycle 25 officially began in December 2019, when solar minimum occurred, marking the end of Solar Cycle 24. Because the sun is so variable, it can take months to calculate when the new cycle starts. Solar Cycle 24 had the fourth-smallest intensity since regular record keeping began with Solar Cycle 1 in 1755. It was also the weakest cycle in 100 years. Scientists forecast that Solar Cycle 25 will be a fairly weak one, similar to Solar Cycle 24. The next solar maximum, when the sun is experiencing peak activity, is predicted to occur in July 2025.
Credit: EarthSky / Eleanor Imster (9/20)