Track Santa at Christmas with NORAD and Google – now on iPhone & Twitter too
You’re no doubt aware that Christmas is upon us, it being Christmas Eve tomorrow. And even if you don’t celebrate, or you do but not the religious aspects of it, then you’ll be aware Santa Claus is on his way. And thanks to NORAD and Google, kids around the world can track the rotund bearded one as he makes his epic journey.
NORAD has actually been doing this for over 50 years, although the online aspects of it are obviously a little more recent than that. Since 2004 Google has been assisting NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) in its mission to track Santa on his way om Christmas morning.
NORAD uses radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighter aircraft to track Santa’s progress. And thanks to Google Earth and the Santa plugin, kids around the world can watch Santa making his unenviable rounds on this one magical night of the year.
As well as the videos showing Santa visiting landmarks around the world, NORAD and Google’s Santa tracking services have added new features every year.
This time around Santa is going mobile thanks to Google Maps for mobile, which works with most smartphones including the Apple iPhone. Once you have the app on your phone you just search for ‘Santa’ to be informed where he is at that moment.
Santa now also has his own Twitter page, which will be updated throughout tomorrow with his progress around the world delivering presents to kids. At least the ones that have been good this year.
Christmas means many different things to different people. However, Santa is one figure that is universal, even if he goes by many different names. Whatever title you know him by, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or any of the other names he hides behind, NORAD and Google don’t let him out of their sight over Christmas.
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