The start of another month and the large sunspot group AR3590 is disappearing off the western limb. This image was taken this morning. This group produced the largest flare of the current cycle - an X6.3 flare on Feb 22nd. It was good to follow its progress.
The mean sunspot number for February has come in at 124.7 slightly higher than that for January which was 123.0. I have included a graph that shows the progress of cycle 25 using the Australian SWS / BOM information. Have we passed maximum yet or is there still more to come?