With Christmas Day fast approaching, children and adults across the UK can once again follow the magical global journey of Father Christmas, thanks to a high-tech military operation. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is preparing to track Santa Claus as he delivers presents worldwide on Christmas Eve, using the same sophisticated systems that guard North American airspace.
Your Guide to the NORAD Santa Tracker
Tracking Santa's sleigh is a simple and festive activity for the whole family. The primary method is to visit the official NORAD Santa Tracker website, which provides a mile-by-mile visualisation of his voyage. For those seeking additional updates, The Mirror will also be running a dedicated live blog on Christmas Eve with the latest news on his progress.
Santa's epic adventure commences from his home at the North Pole. Each year on December 24th, he and his reindeer team launch in the early morning. NORAD's tracking begins the moment they take off. His first port of call is traditionally the Republic of Kiribati in the South Pacific. From there, his route typically sweeps westwards, delivering gifts across New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Asia, Africa, Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America.
How NORAD Tracks Santa: From Radar to Fighter Jets
The technology behind the tracker is genuinely formidable. NORAD employs a combination of its North Warning System radar, with 47 installations across northern Canada and Alaska, and specialised defence satellites. The moment radar confirms Santa's departure from the North Pole, satellite surveillance takes over.
NORAD's website explains that they use "the same satellites that we use in providing air warning of possible missile launches aimed at North America." In a charming festive tradition, NORAD also confirms that fighter jets have intercepted Santa on numerous occasions. The pilots tip their wings to say hello, and Santa always waves back.
The Accidental Beginning of a Christmas Tradition
This unique mission began entirely by chance in 1955. A child trying to call Santa, using a number from a department store advertisement in a local newspaper, accidentally dialled the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), NORAD's predecessor. The officers on duty played along, and a beloved annual tradition was born. The command centre has run the dedicated Father Christmas tracking mission every year since.
So, as Christmas Eve approaches, families can look forward to watching Santa's progress in real-time. It's a modern tradition that blends cutting-edge defence technology with timeless festive magic, ensuring everyone can share in the excitement of his worldwide gift-giving mission.
