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Santa Tracker Live 2024: How to follow Mr. Claus with NORAD and Google this Christmas
What’s New
Every December, Santa Claus packs up his sled, attaches his reindeer and sets off around the world to give gifts to all the good boys and girls. People can watch the jolly good fella as he travels the globe with the Santa trackers on NORAD and Google this Christmas.
Why It Matters
People can visit NORADSanta.org and Google’s Santa tracker for a countdown clock, games and videos about where Santa is located. Children can also listen to the live broadcast from the North Pole.
In 2020, NORADSanta.org received over 11 million visitors from more than 200 countries and territories. There were also over 20,000 calls to the call center volunteers that year.
What To Know
In 1955, while working a night shift, Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup got a phone call from a child in Colorado Springs. The boy had followed directions from a department store’s newspaper advertisement on how to call Santa. The number unfortunately was printed incorrectly and instead called the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center operations center in Colorado.
Schoup entertained the boy’s call as well as the number of other calls he received throughout the night.
NORAD continued tracking the big guy in 1958 when the organization was formed.
Where is NORAD Based?
NORAD, which stands for the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
How NORAD Tracks Santa, According to the US Department of Defense
The Department of Defense said that people can play games and watch Santa’s progress on the NORAD Tracks Santa app “thanks to the hard-working folks at NORAD, who start the task of tracking Santa each November when NORADSanta.org starts getting inquiries from families.”
“About 70 contributors help set up the site, apps and phone lines, while more than 500 uniformed personnel, Defense Department civilians, their families and supporters volunteer time on Christmas Eve to answer children’s questions on Santa’s whereabouts,” the Department of Defense said.
NORAD’s radar system, called the North Warning System, has 47 installations across Alaska and northern Canada. As soon as they pick up on Santa departing the North Pole, NORAD tracks the man in the red suit throughout his global adventures with their satellites that use infrared sensors.
The sensors typically detect heat from launched rockets or missiles. Rudoph’s nose, however, gives off infrared signatures that are very similar so NORAD can track Santa too.
NORAD also tracks Santa with U.S. Air Force F-15, F-16, F-22 and Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jets. The fighter pilots meet with Santa off the coast of Newfoundland on Christmas Eve to welcome him to North America.
When Does The NORAD And Google Santa Trackers Start?
NORAD starts tracking Santa on December 24. People can use the website, apps or social media to follow along.
Google’s Santa tracker is active throughout the month of November. On December 24, Santa’s Village transforms into a tracking experience.
What Is The Phone Number For Santa Claus?
The call center opens at 6 a.m. EST on December 24. Children can call at 1-877-HI-NORAD (446-6723) to find out where Santa is.
What People Are Saying
Air Force General Glen VanHerck, NORAD’s commander: “24 hours a day, 365 days a year, NORAD defends North America by tracking airplanes, missiles, space launches and anything else that flies in or around the North American continent. As we have since 1955, this Dec. 24th we are once again ready for our no-fail mission of tracking Santa.”
Google Santa Tracker: “Santa’s Village is the perfect place for families to celebrate the season. You’ll find all your favorite characters together with fun, educational and interactive activities for every age.”
What Happens Next
Santa will start his travels on December 25. According to the Google Santa tracker, the jolly old fella’s journey will last 25 hours. He makes his first stop just after 10 p.m. local time in far eastern Russia when it’s 5 a.m. in New York.
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