It's impossible to say exactly when the first comet was spotted. Humans have been observing the sky for millennia, and comets have been a part of that sky since long before recorded history.

Here's what we *do* know:

* Ancient records: The earliest known records of comet sightings date back to ancient Mesopotamia, around 3000 BC. There are also mentions of comets in ancient Chinese and Egyptian records.

* Early interpretations: In these early times, comets were often seen as omens, both good and bad.

* Scientific understanding: It wasn't until the 16th and 17th centuries that astronomers began to develop a more scientific understanding of comets, thanks to observations by Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.

So, while we can't pinpoint the exact date of the first comet sighting, it's safe to say that humans have been observing these celestial objects for thousands of years.