The Internet is a valuable resource and tool. The web provides a plethora of information on a wide variety of topics including travel, health, news and entertainment. But the Internet also provides a very special tracking system especially for the holidays.
Years ago, children used to gather around the radio or family television sets during the holiday season to watch and listen to a wide variety of holiday entertainment. But today, children all over the world gather ‘round the computer on Christmas Eve for one reason – to track Santa Claus!
Available in several different languages, the official tracker of the man in the red suit is NORAD. For over 50 years, NORAD has been tracking Santa’s Christmas Eve journey around the world. Legend has it, the tradition of Santa tracking started in 1955, when a misprinted telephone number in a Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children mistakingly reached the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s hotline. Colonel Harry Shoup asked his staff to track Santa’s Christmas Eve journey. When children called, they would be updated with the information.
A few years later, Canada and the United States created the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in 1958. Since then, volunteers have helped answer phone calls, letters and emails from children all over the world.
Tracking Santa Claus Online
Tracking Santa Claus is a high-tech matter that utilizes four different systems – NORAD radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jets.
- North Warning System - The NORAD radar system that tracks Santa’s whereabouts is called the North Warning System. The system contains nearly 50 powerful installations located across the northern border of North America. Once the radar indicates Santa and has reindeer are on their way, the satellite system begins..
- Santa Satellites - Satellites equipped with infrared sensors, are positioned 22,300 miles from Earth. The sensors are able to detect Rudolph’s infrared signature.
- Santa Cam Network - In 1998, Santa Cameras were added to the Santa Tracking arsenal. High-speed digital cameras are positioned at many locations around the world. Used only once a year, on Christmas Eve, the Santa Cams capture Santa’s journey as he and the reindeer travel around the world. Updated videos are available to watch at any time during the year.
- NORAD Fighter Pilots - Fighter pilots welcome Santa as he enters US airspace in a variety of aircraft including the F-15 or F-16.
NORAD and Google
The collaboration between NORAD and Google has made keeping a close eye on Santa’s adventure even easier. Computer users can install the Google Earth browser plug-in to track Santa’s progress and get a closer look. Learn more about a particular location or follow Santa’s “Sparkle’s Trail” by clicking on a link or present along the way. Users can also follow Santa’s journey via Twitter, Facebook or Picasa Web Album. And now mobile users can get up-to-date reports on Santa’s travels with SMS messages.
Besides the Santa Tracker, the informative website also includes many fun-filled activities for boys and girls of all ages. From matching card games and online tic-tac-toe to printables and Mrs. Claus’ Alphabet Soup Kitchen, children will be entertained for hours on this family-friendly website. And in case you are wondering how Santa keeps up his strength during his whirl-wind trek, a handy Santa Snack tracker shows you just how many cookies jolly St. Nick has eaten. According to the website, he has currently consumed over 400,000 cookies!
Children of all ages can view Santa’s Christmas Eve journey by visiting the NORAD Santa Tracker. For more holiday activities for children, visit Make Free Christmas Cards, Christmas Coloring Pages for Kids, Free Christmas Activites for Kids , Watch Christmas Movies for Free, Listen to Christmas Music for Free and Online Christmas Games.
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway - +JaceShoemaker-Galloway is more than passionate about online safety awareness. She has devoted and dedicated over five years to Internet ...
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