A "bright comet" refers to a special kind of space object that can be seen from Earth as a shining ball of light with a tail. It appears in the sky and can be really bright, standing out among the stars. Full definition
To these I might have added the name of Professor Stephan Koerner, and finally that bright comet in the present - day firmament which, according to certain observers, comes trailing dazzling clouds of uncertain composition, namely Dr. Noam Chomsky. (religion-online.org)
Then in 1996 and 1997 two bright comets passed spectacularly close to Earth, and comets became instant celebrities. (discovermagazine.com)