A massive solar flare was expected to hit the Earth Thursday bringing with it the threat of power and GPS blackouts, a media report said.
The burst of charged particles, released by the Sun and rushing towards Earth, is the biggest since August and comes as the Sun begins the most active stage of its 11-year cycle, The Telegraph reported.
The cloud of particles was expected to reach Earth around midday Thursday and last until Friday but could be followed by further bursts, experts said.
The charged particles, which will arrive at about four million miles per hour, have the potential to disrupt any magnetic, radio or radiation emissions, according to the paper.
Solar flares also raise the chance of seeing auroras or Northern Lights which could appear as far south as Britain.