New sunspot group unleashes barrage of huge solar flares as astronomers predict two years of storms which could cause chaos on Earth

• 'X-class' flare is most powerful kind of solar flare
• Two years of violent solar storms predicted

By Rob Waugh

Last updated at 9:47 PM on 7th March 2012

The largest solar flare in five years is racing toward Earth, threatening to unleash a torrent of charged particles that could disrupt power grids, GPS and airplane flights.

The sun erupted Tuesday evening, and the effects should start smacking Earth around 7 a.m. EST Thursday, according to forecasters at the federal government's Space Weather Prediction Center. They say the flare is growing as it speeds outward from the sun.

'It's hitting us right in the nose,' said Joe Kunches, a scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He called it the sun's version of 'Super Tuesday.

FULL STORY, Video & Pics: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2111506/Sign-things-...