A meteor shower will pass Bermuda this weekend lighting up the night sky.

August is traditionally known as 'shooting star month' but this weekend the sky will be brighter when the meteor shower Perseids passes the Island.

The Perseidas shower has been documented since 35 AD and were originally called the tears of St. Lawrence, named after a Christian martyr.

The bright lights that star gazers see on Earth is actually melted debris from an icy comet which was orbiting the Sun. The debris ends up becoming a stream, millions of miles long behind the comet.

When the Earth comes into contact with these streams astronomers call it a meteor shower. The best time to catch this particular shower is 3 a.m. on Sunday.

However the Astronomical Society of Bermuda believes that there will be some great sights as early as 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Spokesman for the group, Eddie McGonagle, said: "It is always worthwhile to look a few days either side of the peak period as small unpredicted outbursts are possible.

"The only instructions are to use the darkest site possible the moon even cooperates with its absence this year use a comfortable lounger, and have nice companions."

He added that there was no need for optical aides with this particular shower.