How to Track Santa's Whereabouts on Christmas Eve

Did you know that you can track Santa Claus and the route he takes on Christmas Eve? Thanks to the 21st century minds at Google and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), you can keep track online of Santa's whereabouts from now until Christmas. NORAD began tracking Santa in 1952, when kids could tune in to their radios to find out where the jolly old elf was located. But now, you can track him online and even on your cell phone. Here's hoping he makes it to your roof!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Make your list and check it twice. Santa won't know where to deliver your goodies if you haven't made a list, so now's the time to accomplish this first task. If you were good this year, you have nothing to worry about.

2. Visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website (see the link in Resources). Although you can't track Santa's route around the world until Christmas Eve, you can familiarize yourself with this website in the meantime and read up on Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. The site has a 3-D map of the North Pole, where you can click on different buildings to see what's happening up there. The site also includes games you can play to while away the hours

3. Read the updates, which among other things, notes that Santa's "Naughty or Nice" list includes a record 1.9 billion children under the age of 15 this year. The list grows continually, because children are born at the rate of approximately 340,000 per day. The site includes a link to the world census figures as well.

4. Find out what the weather is at the North Pole. The NORAD Santa website includes a link to weather updates from the coldest place on Earth, where the Christmas Day forecast is for 15-degree temperatures. Brrr!

5. Download Google Earth if you don't have it. Because NORAD has partnered with Google, you will need Google Earth to track Santa's whereabouts on Christmas Eve. See the link to Google Earth in Resources to find the download or download it directly from the NORAD website. Look for the green button.

6. Download the special Santa Tracking file from the NORAD website. This file will work with Google Earth when you return to actually track Santa's flight on Christmas Eve. You can also track Santa from your cell phone using Google Maps for mobile. If you have an iPhone, T-Mobile G1, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile or Nokia phone with Google Maps, search for "norad santa" to see Santa's location.

7. Return to the NORAD Tracks Santa website on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. Finally, your patience will be rewarded. Click on the red button that will be there for anyone wishing to track Santa. NORAD will begin tracking Santa's trip with live video feeds that begin at 6 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Google software will broadcast live images from NORAD's high-speed digital "Santa Cams," and Google Maps and Google Earth will follow Santa as he travels around the globe.

8. Remember that NORAD Tracks Santa will be available in a number of languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese. Last year, the NORAD Tracks Santa Web site received a mind-boggling 10.6 million unique visitors from 212 countries and territories.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget to leave cookies and milk for the big guy. He'll need refreshments to sustain him through the night.

Resources

• NORAD Tracks Santa Website
• World Census Figures
• Weather at the North Pole
• Google Earth

[NYLady]

on 1/21/2009 It's very cool to try this. Bookmark for next year!

[cosmopinkice]

on 1/21/2009 Wow! I didn't know about this. Thanks so much. This will be so neat for my son. 5*