Astronomers predict that there is a “stream of high-speed particles” heading towards Earth. The particles were released through a hole in the southern hemisphere of the sun and travel at a speed of 600 kilometers per second, or 2.1 million kilometers per hour. The particles are currently traveling through the solar system and will hit Earth on March 20.
If they do, researchers think it could cause problems for satellite technology.
It is categorized as a G1 class storm that can cause “weak fluctuations in the power grid” and have a “minor impact on satellite operations”.
Astronomy site Space Weather said: “NOAA forecasters say a small G1-class geomagnetic storm is likely on March 20, when a stream of super-fast solar wind hits Earth’s magnetic field.
“The gaseous material flows faster than 600 km / s from a southern hole in the sun’s atmosphere.”
Some experts have warned that a major solar storm is a matter of “when, not or”.
Every so often the sun gives off a solar flare which in turn blows energy into space.
Some of these solar flares can hit Earth and are, for the most part, harmless to our planet.
However, the sun can also give off solar flares that are so powerful that they can paralyze Earth’s technology.
READ MORE: Solar Winds Expected to Hit Earth After Opening a Hole in the Sun’s Corona
As such, experts have complained about the lack of preparation for an extreme space weather event, warning it could cost trillions and cause widespread panic.
Risk consulting firm Drayton Tyler said, “A solar superstorm is a ‘when, not if’ event.
“In the worst case scenario, the direct and indirect costs are likely to reach trillions of dollars with a recovery time of years rather than months.
“The odds of an event of this magnitude taking place are estimated by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK at one in ten in every decade.”