>>The ancient term for the sky and especially the night sky was "firmament". Heaven was the fixed dome high over head.<<

The Hebrew word translated as firmament means "bowl."

>>The stars were thought to be holes or windows in the great dome in some cultures and the great light of the deities showed through the holes. This was also where clouds, rain and snow and other atmospheric phenomena poured out from their treasuries beyond.<<

Genesis 7:11 describes the flood as being caused by "fountains of the deep" being broken and the "windows of heaven" being opened.