NORTH POLE – Did you ever wonder if you could tell exactly what moment Santa is to arrive at your house so you know when it’s time for you to start envisioning sugar plums?
An online tool can show you exactly where Santa is so that you are prepared with his milk and favorite cookies and maybe even some treats for the reindeer!
NORAD Tracks Santa 2006 is the latest installation of a program that has been working to keep tabs on Santa’s location for more than 50 years.
But how, you might ask, did NORAD get into the business of Santa-tracking.
Information on the site says that Continental Air Defense Command, or CONAD, began to track Santa after Sears Roebuck & Co. in Colorado Springs, Colo., advertised a special hotline to call Santa. The advertisement accidentally showed the wrong number, and children found themselves calling CONAD’s commander-in-chief’s operations line instead.
“The Director of Operations, Col. Harry Shoup, received the first Santa call on Christmas Eve 1955. Realizing what had happened, Shoup had his staff check radar data to see if there was any indication of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Indeed there were signs of Santa and children who called were given an update on Santa’s position. Thus, the tradition was born,” according to the site.
NORAD, the North American Air Defense Command, was formed in 1958 and since took over the duties of watching Santa.
NORAD pulls out all the stops when it comes to providing children around the world with the most up-to-date information on Santa.
First, there is the North Warning System. “This powerful radar system has 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. NORAD makes a point of checking the radar closely for indications of Santa Claus leaving the North Pole on Christmas Eve,” the site stated.
When Santa begins his journey, satellites that track infrared heat begin to train on Rudolph’s nose and follow the jolly old elf on his journey.
In 1998, NORAD added the Santa Cam, a special system of digital cameras positioned around the world that take photographs of Santa and his team and immediately upload them to the NORAD site.
Finally, NORAD employs fighter jets to welcome Santa to North America. Some jets are also equipped with Santa Cams.
While you’re waiting to see when Santa will arrive, NORAD has also includes some puzzles, games and videos to keep you busy. Check out the Santa Snacks counter to see how many treats the big man has had so far! Also look into a letter written by a little lady named Virginia to the editor of The New York Sun.
To find out all about Santa and his “Big Night,” click here.