himmellegeme

Himmellegeme is a historical German term used to denote celestial or heavenly bodies. In contemporary German astronomy the standard term is Himmelskörper; Himmellegeme appears primarily in older philosophical, theological, or popular texts and is rarely used in scientific writing.

Usage and scope: The term referred to objects that occupy the sky, including planets, stars, comets, and other celestial objects collectively described as heavenly bodies. It functioned as a synonym for celestial body in earlier periods, but is uncommon in modern technical language.

Context and decline: With the development of modern astronomy, Himmelskörper became the prevailing term, while Himmellegeme gradually faded from formal usage. It may still be found in historical editions, translations of classical authors, or in discussions of linguistic history.

Related terms: The modern standard term is Himmelskörper; the concept corresponds to the general scientific category of celestial bodies in today’s astronomy.