
It’s back! In what has become an annual ritual for millions on Christmas Eve, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is tracking Santa Claus’s journey from the North Pole to deliver gifts to children across the globe.
NORAD’s Santa Claus tracker website — NORADSanta.org — includes a map that allows users to track Santa’s location in real time. The site attracts tens of millions of visitors every year.
Beginning at midnight on Christmas Eve, the site utilizes satellite mapping technology and digital animation to simulate the route of Santa’s reindeer and sleigh.
The tracker also features a live count of gifts delivered by Jolly Old St. Nick. At the time of this publication, that figure was more than 1.3 billion.
NORAD’s history of tracking Santa
The practice began in 1955 when a child accidentally called the unlisted number of what was then the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, asking for Santa Claus.
Not wanting to disappoint the young caller, Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the command center’s director of operations, “instructed his staff to check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole,” according to NORAD. Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions of children and families.
The binational military organization, based in Colorado Springs, Colo., eventually enlisted volunteers to answer a dedicated phone line to give updates on Santa’s whereabouts. In recent years, those volunteers have included pop stars, presidents and first ladies.
And the hotline still exists: You can call 877-HI-NORAD (877-446-6723) to reach one of the call center’s operators. (President Trump is scheduled to field NORAD Santa calls from Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon.) Last Christmas Eve, it logged more than 300,000 calls.
Just don’t ask when Santa will arrive at your house.
“NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house,” the organization explains on its FAQ page. “We do, however, know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep!”
latest_posts
- 1
Overlooked infertility care should be part of national health services, says WHO - 2
They grew up with 'almond moms.' Now, they dread going home for the holidays. - 3
Old photos misrepresented as aftermath of political party supporters' brawl in Bangladesh - 4
Charli xcx teases new film ‘The Moment’: What to know about the A24 movie - 5
8 Espresso Bean Starting points All over the Planet
Figure out how to Separate Among Fledgling and Master Fender bender Legal counselors
New Cheetos and Doritos will be free of artificial dyes
Cocoa Prices Undercut Amid the Prospects of Abundant Supplies
Choosing Moving Styles for Your Restroom Redesign
The Fate of Mechanical technology: 5 Headways Forming Tomorrow
European Travel Objections for 2024
From Certificate to Dollars: College Majors with Extraordinary Monetary Prizes
My prescription costs what?! Pharmacists offer tips that could reduce your out-of-pocket drug costs
This Week In Space podcast: Episode 188 — A New NASA Leader Rises?













