Solar flare continua at the metre wavelength

The term 'flare continuum' (denoted by FC) was introduced by Wild (1970) to describe a strong, stationary continuum source at the metre wavelengths which occurs early in some flare events, particularly those of high energy. The flare continuum is distinct from the 'storm continuum' (SC), which occurs late in some flare events, becomes strongly circularly polarized and may continue as a 'storm'. Both had previously been referred to as 'stationary type IV' bursts, to distinguish them from the original 'moving type IV' burst, IVM. It is the purpose of the present note to distinguish two classes of flare continuum from observations with the Culgoora radio spectrograph and heliograph. We note that the spectrograph is less sensitive than the heliograph and frequently continua recorded with the heliograph do not show on the spectrum. (author)