I'm wishing to create an effect that is best described as alike to a shooting star. I want to have one end thick and bright, but narrow and darken towards the other end. I also want to be able to adjust the tail's path to make it curve however I want. A good example is the effect in the following image.

I've attempted to isolate the effect from the image. Sorry about the image quality. It's hard to isolate the effect without cutting into it.

Since I'm inexperienced with Inkscape, I haven't much of an idea on how to recreate the effect. If anyone could attempt to create this effect, or an equivelent, and give some detailed instructions on how to create it yourself, I'd be very appreciative.
Thanks in advance.