The sun cycle is another important variable:
The sun is currently in the fourth year of its current solar cycle, which began in December 2019, when the surface of the star had its lowest sunspot number, known as the solar minimum, of around 1.8. The solar cycle describes the changes the star's magnetic field undergoes over an 11-year period, and scientists track it by recording sunspot activity.
Thus far, solar cycle 25 has been more active than the relatively quiet solar cycle 24. Since December 2019, solar activity, including the number of sunspots and solar flares, has increased. The sun is heading to the next solar maximum, in 2024, when the star's polarity will reverse and many more active regions will appear.