Comparative Assessment of Solar and Geophysical Parameters during the Initial Six Years of Solar Cycles 24 and 25

This study presents a comparative statistical analysis of solar activity during the first six years of Solar Cycles 24 (2008–2013) and 25 (2019–2024). The analysis focuses on key solar and geophysical parameters, including sunspot numbers, halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar radio flux at 10.7 cm (F10.7), and geomagnetic storms, to assess differences in solar behavior between the two cycles. Sunspot numbers varied between 0 and 139.1 in Solar Cycle 24, whereas they ranged from 0.2 to 216 during the corresponding period of Solar Cycle 25. Similarly, the F10.7 cm radio flux fluctuated between 65.7 and 153.5 in solar flux unit (s.f.u.) during 2008–2013, and between 67.05 and 245.6 s.f.u. from 2019 to 2024, reflecting an overall increase in solar output. The study also includes an analysis of halo CMEs, with 192 events observed during Solar Cycle 24 and 227 during Solar Cycle 25, both characterized by an angular width of 360°. Geomagnetic activity was assessed using 104 events from Cycle 24 and 179 from Cycle 25, with disturbance storm time (Dst) index values ranging from –50 to –350 nT. The results indicate a significant increase in solar activity during the early phase of Solar Cycle 25 compared to Solar Cycle 24. This suggests a more intense and dynamic space weather environment in the current solar cycle, which may have important implications for space weather forecasting and satellite operations.