Internet ho, ho...ho? (Norad Tracks Santa)

itworld ^ | 12/18/03 | Nancy Weil

[stainlessbanner]

Some people no doubt raise an eyebrow that North American Air Defense Command, or NORAD, for the 49th consecutive year is undertaking the annual task of tracking the global progress of Santa Claus starting Dec. 24 and continuing through the early hours of Christmas Day. Rest assured that Santa certainly knows who you are and has duly placed you upon the infamous "naughty" list. And so close to his yearly visit. Tsk. Tsk.

"Our tax dollars at work," various of you have been heard to comment. "Shouldn't they be keeping an eye on North Korea?" others have asked with dripping sarcasm. It should be noted that the fine points of the NORAD Santa-tracking Web site are handled by corporate sponsors and that the tracking itself is done on a volunteer basis so as not to ignore North American air defense during prime Santa hours. The Santa tracking site is in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Japanese, at http://www.noradsanta.org, and there also is a phone line available from 7 a.m. Dec. 24 through 1 a.m. Dec. 25, mountain standard time: 877-446-6723 (877-HI-NORAD).

Beatle (WorldBeat believes one cannot be a "former" Beatle -- once a Beatle, always a Beatle) Ringo Starr is this year's honorary Santa Tracker. As such, he received training in "tracking techniques" and "has become an expert in the use of the SantaCam," according to the NORAD Santa Web site. As an added bonus, the Web site offers music by Ringo.

"Santa and I are personal friends. He's asked me to do this special job with this incredibly new SantaCam and I'll be tracking him as he comes over Great Britain," Ringo said in a statement at the NORAD Santa site. "Children will see amazing things. I'm privileged to be one of the Santa Trackers."

NORAD uses radar, satellites, SantaCams and jet fighter aircraft to track Santa. NORAD uses its 47 installations across northern Canada and Alaska to track Santa, closely checking radar for indications that Santa has departed the North Pole. To borrow a phrase from humorist Dave Barry: We are not making this up. These details all are supplied on the NORAD Santa Web site.

As soon as NORAD notices that Santa is airborne, it tracks his progress via geosynchronous orbit, which the Web site says is "a cool phrase meaning that the satellite is always fixed over the same spot on the Earth." The satellites are 22,300 miles above the planet and have infrared sensors that detect the "infrared signature similar to a missile launch" given off by Rudolph's nose. For those not initiated in Santa lore, Rudolph is the red-nosed reindeer who leads the sleigh-pulling.

"It is important to note, however, that our scientists have tried to determine the chemical process that occurs that creates the heat that is generated by Rudolph's nose but they have not been able to thus far," the Web site says.

Incidentally, NORAD tracking began when a newspaper in Colorado Springs, Colorado, home of NORAD command, ran an incorrect number for a Santa "hotline." The number was for the commander-in-chief's hotline at the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD's predecessor. Realizing the error, Colonel Harry Shoup had his staff check radar to see if Santa had left the North Pole, and thus, a tradition was born.

Answers to questions about Santa tracking will have to wait, it seems. An attempt to e-mail Santa via the NORAD site bounced back and the public affairs line rings unanswered. All those Santa-tracking preparations are taking precedence, no doubt.

I had questions regarding various other Santa sites, too, but had no success in connecting with anyone who could answer queries. I did, however, fill out a form providing a few "wish list" gift items we hope Santa will bring, as well as other information at www.northpole.com. As promised, within two days I had e-mail notification to pick up my letter at Santa's mailroom at the Web site.

The reindeer are rested for the flight and the elves are wrapping up their work making toys, Santa reported. Noting that I had said I like books, Santa said that he and Mrs. Claus "love to read every night in front of the fireplace. We read adventure books, mystery books, funny books and Christmas stories during the holidays." Where do they find the time?

"I'm reading your letter right now," Santa wrote, "and it looks like you've been a very nice girl this year. That makes me so happy. Keep up the good work!"

[Professional Engineer]

one for Spiderboy

[TomB]

I've had this website up for a few years now on Christmas Eve, and the kids LOVE it. It really adds to the excitement.

[netmilsmom]

Oh how I wish you were here to see this!

Ho, Ho, Ho Lady, I hope you've seen the lights already this year!

[mitchbert]

Canada Post years ago assigned a unique postal code for Santa's Workshop should any children wish to send a letter to him.

The code?

H0H 0H0

I'm completely serious, BTW ;-)

[presidio9]

[Poohbah]

What few people realize is that Kris Kringle is a Commander in the US Navy Reserve, posted as Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station North Pole.

He's the only guy to ever have to wave off during Field Carrier Landing Practice because a submarine just surfaced through the active runway.

[kerouacbal]

I heard that the FBI will be tracking what he is saying this year as well. Santa installed on-star this summer so the FBI is going to tap into it and broadcast it live.

[stainlessbanner]

It's ok, all surveliance is covered under the Patriot Act.

[kerouacbal]

Thank God for that.

[50sDad]

[REPUBLICAN]

Dang! My tax dollars are paying for NORAD to do this!?!

[/REPUBLICAN]

[Poohbah]

If you had READ THE FRICKIN' ARTICLE, you would know that no taxpayer dollars go to this.

I know Lazamataz. Lazamataz is a personal friend of mine. You ain't no Lazamataz.

[kerouacbal]

How much do you think it cost for NORAD to provide this kind hearted service for all the kids in this country who celebrate Christmas. I'll et you they already have the Web space for the site. I'm sure they also have programmers that don't really have enough of a work load during the work day that can spend a little time doing this. Kids close you eyes. Santa is not real so all their monitoring equipment is not really being used. Light up.

[kerouacbal]

You should change you screen name from 50sDad to 50s. Any dad I know has no problem with this

[Poohbah]

NORAD doesn't do it; volunteers from NORAD do it on their own time.

[kerouacbal]

I read the post but be honest do you do nothing else but work all day long. Have you ever went to this site during work. I'm sure they do a little bit when working. Even if not I'll bet 50sDad is probably pissed that he is paying the electric bill of the PC's they use to run the site

[Poohbah]

Actually, the electricity bill is paid by the (get this) corporate sponsors. This site isn't even on a military network.

[hunter112]

Really. Other areas of our defense system get to put their best foot forward before the public, each branch of the military has bands that perform in parades, etc. Naval ships, and military aviators perform at shows and festivals, so why not let the folks at NORAD have a little glory shine on them, too?

Three cheers for all the people who work so hard to keep us safe! They deserve to be noticed every once in awhile by the public they protect.

[kerouacbal]

Ok one who is so wise in the way of science

[Poohbah]

I know a couple of the folks who do this site. They get nothing from NORAD beyond a "Thanks for making us look good" note. The servers are located at a commercial ISP, and get paid for by donations.