Tonight Santa Claus is making his annual journey from the North Pole to ship presents to kids everywhere in the world. And prefer it does yearly, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, generally known as NORAD, could have its official tracker following Santa’s journey for Christmas 2023.
NORAD, which is liable for defending the skies over the United States and Canada, has been monitoring Santa each Christmas Eve for the final 68 years.
Here is all it is advisable to know to trace Saint Nick on his travels this Christmas:
Where is Santa proper now?
As of 1:20 p.m. ET, NORAD says Santa is flying off the East Coast of Africa, heading from the Seychelles to the Glorioso Islands after which Réunion after stops in China, Singapore, Indonesia and India.
NORAD’s Santa tracker is at the moment reside, and you’ll monitor Santa’s progress within the map beneath. [Note: The map works better on mobile devices; if you don’t see it below you can click here to view it on NORAD’s website.]
You can even comply with updates on NORAD’s Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube pages.
Operators can be standing by at 1-877-HI-NORAD beginning at 6 a.m. ET on Christmas Eve for households who need to name for an update on Santa’s whereabouts.
Last yr, NORAD and volunteers answered over 73,000 calls on Christmas Eve, in keeping with the Pentagon.
When will Santa come to your home?
According to NORAD, it is unattainable to know as a result of solely Santa is aware of his route. But historical past suggests he solely arrives when kids are asleep, so anytime between 9 p.m. and midnight on December 24 is an efficient guess.
“If kids are nonetheless awake when Santa arrives, he strikes on to different homes. He returns later, however solely when the youngsters are asleep!” NORAD says.
How does the Santa tracker work?
NORAD makes use of a mixture of radars, satellites and jet fighters, it says, to maintain a watchful eye on Santa’s progress.
Its radar system, known as the North Warning System, screens the North Pole each Christmas.
“The second our radar tells us that Santa has lifted off, we begin to make use of the identical satellites that we use in offering air warning of attainable missile launches geared toward North America,” NORAD’s Santa tracker web site says.
Satellites situated 22,300 miles above the Earth with infrared sensors additionally assist NORAD in its monitoring duties.
“Rudolph’s nostril provides off an infrared signature just like a missile launch,” NORAD says. “The satellites detect Rudolph’s vibrant purple nostril with no drawback.”
And lastly, NORAD says Canadian and American jet fighters welcome Santa and his reindeer and escort them via North American airspace.
“Even although Santa flies quicker than any jet fighter (Santa slows down for us to escort him), all of those methods collectively present NORAD with an excellent steady image of his whereabouts,” in keeping with NORAD.
