Previous studies have revealed that the Sun releases an extreme solar flare every 25 years on average, with the last Earth-hitting one coming in 1989.
This storm saw power outages in Quebec, Canada, as conducting rocks on Earth can carry the excess energy from the magnetic shield and plough it into the national grid.
On top of that, an intense solar storm can down satellite systems, as the bombardment of solar particles can expand Earth s magnetosphere, making it harder for satellite signals to penetrate.
While it is impossible to predict when and where a huge solar storm might hit, it is inevitable one will hit the planet in the future.
SPACE weather forecast: Another solar storm is set to hit Earth today following the strongest yet of the current solar cycle yesterday, as experts reveal we have entered the most geomagnetically active month of the year.
READ MORE
During a solar maximum, the Sun gives off more heat and is littered with sunspots.
Less heat in a solar minimum is due to a decrease in magnetic waves which travel through deep space.
Over the past year, the Sun has moved into its solar maximum phase, and it could reach its peak in the coming years.
When it does, it will release more solar flares which could prove to be bad for Earth s technology.
Facts about the Sun (Image: EXPRESS)
Trending
Rami Qahwaji, Professor of Visual Computing in the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics at the University of Bradford, who invented a system NASA uses to analyse sunspots and predict solar flares, says technology could suffer when the solar maximum reaches its expected peak in 2025.
Over the past year, the Sun has moved into its solar maximum phase, and it could reach its peak in the coming years.
When it does, it will release more solar flares which could prove to be bad for Earth s technology.
Rami Qahwaji, Professor of Visual Computing in the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics at the University of Bradford, who invented a system NASA uses to analyse sunspots and predict solar flares, says technology could suffer when the solar maximum reaches its expected peak in 2025.
Prof Qahwaji said: “That means, we could see more sunspots in the coming years.
Space weather: Solar flares could be on the rise as scientist issues technology warning (Image: GETTY)
Solar storm forecast: A storm watch is in effect for Tuesday and Wednesday (Image: SPWC)
READ MORE
The intensity of the storm shut down telegraph systems across Europe and North America and even set some buildings on fire when equipment started sparking.
Luckily for us, Saturday s CME will not hit us head-on and its effects will be minor at most.
The SWPC said: A G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm watch is in effect for February 23 and 24, 2020, UTC-days. A CME that occurred on February 20, 2021, was analyzed and modelled, and it is likely that the flanking edge of the CME may arrive as a minor glancing blow late on the February 23 UTC-day.