SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLAR CONTINUUM RADIATION IN THE 500-1000 MC/S RANGE

The spectral characteristics of flare-associated continuum radiation in the 500 to 1000 Mc range are described. The continuum radiation in this frequency -range consists of a smooth background continuum and different variabilities mostly in the form of fine structure fast-drift bursts; however, occasionally they appear in the form of sprays'' or patchiness. The meter- lambda type IV continuum radiation is always associated with a dcm- lambda burst of continuum radiation. The dcm- lambda continuum starts almost simultaneously with the concurrent cm- lambda continuum; also, its maxima sometimes correspond to the cm- lambda maxima. From these and other characteristics (such as source size, height, motion, etc.) of dcm- lambda continuum, it is suggested that the dcm lambda continuum, like the concurrent cm- lambda continuum, represents the first phase of type IV radiation as a whole. Only a small fraction of meter- lambda bursts of spectral types II and V are associated with dcm- lambda bursts. The type II associated dcm- lambda bursts are mostly of continuum type, although fastdrift elements may sometimes be superimposed on the continuum. The type V associated dcm- lambda bursts are mostly of generalized fast-drift'' type. (auth)