Solar activity waxes and wanes in an 11-year cycle, which is expected to peak sometime early next year.

Astronomers point out that the solar menace comes at the same time as computers around the world could struggle to cope with problems caused by the Millennium or Year 2000 (Y2K) bug.

Some solar physicists have called the effects from the Sun "the other Y2K problem".

"The SOHO satellite will play a key role in early detection of solar storms, which is important for issuing warnings," added Dr Brekke.