Terms and Concepts for Kerridge & Chang (1985)

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nova -  Contrary to what the name implies, this is not a new star but rather one that has been around a while and which has brightened, making it seem "new" for a while.  A nova is thought to be produced when a binary star in close orbit around a white dwarf periodically sheds material onto the white dwarf, causing the latter to brighten as material is added to it.

combustion -  This is burning produced by oxidation of fuel.  In the context of the present paper, combustion is what results when C-bearing material is heated in the presence of an oxygen-bearing atmosphere.

pyrolysis -  This is the breakdown of material caused by the application of heat.  In the context of the present paper, pyrolysis is what happens when C-bearing material is heated in a vacuum or an inert atmosphere.

"low Z"  - This refers to low atomic number.  Material rich in carbon will be "low Z" because the atomic number (6) and atomic weight (12 amu) of C is low compared to rock-forming elements.