Getting Closer to Solar Maximum

We are reaching the peak of the solar cycle - roughly every 11 years. Experts believe the cyclical peak is likely to take place in mid to late 2024. As we get closer to the peak of the cycle - solar maximum - the sun becomes more active. Activity such as sun spots and Coronal Mass Ejections occur much more frequently and to a greater intensity.
Oh my goodness I'm beginning to sound like one of the commentators on one of my favourite websites: APOD or Astronomy Picture of the Day.

The Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis were captured by photographer Owen Humphreys on Wednesday 13 September. This aurora display appeared as a result of a CME which was hurled into space from the Northern Hemisphere of the sun on 14 September. Click here for more information

from the Lindisfarne Causeway

taken on Wednesday 13 September 2023 at 12:45pm

by Owen Humpreys/PA

The sun released an X1 solar flare on October 2, 2022, which was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. X-class events are the most intense flares, and they can impact communications systems on Earth

from Space's Next Chapter