Planet Earth, our planet for those wondering, is due to be bombarded by huge amounts of solar particles following a massive solar flare last Sunday. These flares are said to be fairly common although this current one is said to be the largest in the best part of a decade.

The flare, due to hit anytime now (24/01/2012), could potentially cause widespread problems here on Earth. Satelites are at the most threat from the particles as they could cause disruptions to both their signals and the onboard electronics. The astronauts in the International Space Station have also been placed on alert.

Back in 1972 a solar flare knocked out many long distance phone lines in the US state of Illonois and in 1989 a solar flare left over 6 million people without electricity across Quebec, Canada.

Another effect that has already been noted the past few nights is that the Northern Lights phenomen has been sighted much further south than normal, even as far south as parts of Northern England.

A spokesmen for the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (Noaa) Space Weather Prediction Center said that the effects are only likely to be moderate.