Tracking Santa Claus easier than ever

Tracking the bearded man around the world is easier than ever this Christmas with mobile apps available from the North American…

Tracking the bearded man around the world is easier than ever this Christmas with mobile apps available from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Santa Claus has begun his annual yuletide journey to millions of homes across the world which started in New Zealand. He has already visited Australia, Japan Russia and Afghanistan and he is on target to reach Ireland later tonight.

This year children can keep up with him on their mobile devices iOS, Android and web apps as well as on a new app for Windows 8.

The US-Canadian military organisation NORAD has a 57-year-long holiday tradition at the agency of tracking Santa.

"Every December 24th since 1955 we have been telling children exactly where Santa is so that children all over the world can make sure that they're in bed on time so that Santa will deliver their presents," said Stacey Knott, a deputy chief at NORAD.

In addition to tracking Santa's location on Christmas Eve, the app also shows cameos from his route across major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China.



NORAD's involvement dates back to a 1955 advertisement in a local Sears, Roebuck & Co department store asking children to call Santa directly. But the phone number in the ad contained a typo.

Instead of reaching Santa's private phone, the children gained direct access to the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD's predecessor.

"Any call that came though on this line was typically the chairman, or the secretary of defense, or even the president," Ms Knott said.

Colonel Harry Shoup was working that Christmas Eve when the first child called.

"This little tiny girl's voice said, 'Is this Santa?'" Ms Knott explained. "[Colonel Shoup] looked around because he thought someone was playing a joke on him, but then he talked to the girl's mom and realized what had happened."

Shoup instructed his staff to check the radar for signs of Santa and relayed the information to the children, and the tradition was born.

In addition to the free app which is available worldwide, children can visit www.noradsanta.org, or email noradtrackssanta@outlook.com on Christmas Eve to get information on Santa's location. The website is available in eight languages, including English and French.

Last year, NORAD fielded over 102,000 phone calls and 7,700 emails.

Ms Knott said NORAD relies heavily on partners and volunteers to run the project.

"We have 1,200 volunteers who will come in and will tell people where Santa is located," she added.

So, how does Santa deliver all those gifts in one night?

"Number one, Santa flies faster than starlight," said Knott. "But we're not completely sure how he does it. It's a little bit of magic."

Reuters