In fact, it is difficult to say that the VMS actually depicts comets.
On You are not allowed to view links.
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Login to view. (where these figures first appear), the two stars do not have a tail, and the tail of the upper star extends to the letter
k.
On f105r, you can also see that the tail of the upper star extends towards
t.
The stars in the Starred Parags are shaped like a comet. The rest are not really.
I believe that the purpose of this star/comet is more decorative and is designed to mark sections of text.
But it's still very interesting, by the way...