The largest solar flare in six years is racing towards Earth today, threatening to unleash a barrage of charged particles that could disrupt power grids, GPS systems and planes. The solar flare erupted late Tuesday and is said to hit Earth sometime today, according to forecasters at the Space Weather Prediction Center.

"It's hitting us right in the nose...It's the sun's version of Super Tuesday" said Joe Kunches, a scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The particles are picking up speed as they move farther away from the Sun and are expected to hit Earth at 4.5 million mph.

Various problems can occur with solar flares hit Earth, as they disrupt technology through magnetic, radio and radiation emissions. Widespread power outages and GPS outages, as well as affecting airline routes. In 1989 a solar flare in Quebec caused over 6 million people to lose power.

Damn, where's Bruce Willis when you need him?