Dr Jonathan Eastwood explains to The Guardian

More solar storms on the way, warn scientists: Solar activity approaching peak of 11-year cycle Electrical systems could face severe disruption

Scientists are warning of further solar storms this week after Earth was hit yesterday by one of the fastest clouds of energy to emerge from the surface of the sun in recent years... Dr Jonathan Eastwood said: 'At the moment, the Earth's magnetic field is trying to deflect the solar material around the Earth, and scientists in the UK and around the world are monitoring the situation to see if our magnetic shield will hold up.'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/mar/08/solar-storms-continuing-to-hit-earth

Photograph: Nasa/SDO/AIA/Rex Features