These particles shoot from the sun at high speed during storms in its outer atmosphere.
If they manage to reach Earth, they could disrupt satellites and electronic infrastructure, as well as posing a possible radiation risk to astronauts and people travelling in planes.
In 1859, a large solar storm called the Carrington Event caused widespread issues with telegraph systems across Europe and the United States.
Given our reliance on electricity today, a repeat storm of such magnitude could be far more devastating.
Researchers at University College London (UCL) and George Mason University in the US believe they have located where on the sun these particles come from, in a bid to better predict when they might strike again.
Origin of the Sun s solar storms discovered in scientific breakthrough
Solar storms could wipe out communications on Earth and fry power grids, experts say
3 March 2021 • 7:00pm
The origin of dangerous solar storms have been discovered by scientists in a breakthrough which could help forecast devastating eruptions from the Sun.
Credit: PA/ESA/ATG medialab/Nasa
The origin of dangerous solar storms have been discovered by scientists in a breakthrough which could help forecast devastating eruptions from the Sun.
The events occur when the Sun shoots out super-heated radioactive material which causes geomagnetic storms.
These huge solar flares could knock out communications on Earth, disrupt satellites and shut down power grids.
Scientists locate where potentially hazardous particles on the sun originate pressandjournal.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pressandjournal.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.