[John W (John Wilkinson)]

The month of August was the most active for the current solar cycle 25. The mean solar sunspot number came in at 215.5. This was higher than the SSN for July which was 196.5. This suggests we may still be heading for solar maximum (it could even come next year). Only time will tell.
The following graph from the Australia SWS/BOM shows the mean sunspot number for cycle 25 to date. The purple line shows the predicted sunspot numbers - but we are obviously above that prediction. Will next months mean SSN continue upwards or come down ??

I have also attached 2 images taken during August showing the sunspots. Both images are single exposures using a Canon 550d camera attached to a WO 81 mm refractor / Herschel wedge at 540 nm.
Thanks for viewing.