pippin_death
Devon Dweller
+36|7026|Devon, England
Yes, Track Santa this Christmas! Traveling throughout the world! Using Norad Santa Cam

How do they do it?:

NORAD uses four high-tech systems to track Santa - radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighter aircraft.

Detecting Santa all starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This powerful radar system has 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. NORAD makes a point of checking the radar closely for indications of Santa Claus leaving the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

The moment our radar tells us that Santa has lifted off, we use our second mode of detection, the same satellites that we use in providing warning of possible missile launches aimed at North America. These satellites are located in a geo-synchronous orbit (that's a cool phrase meaning that the satellite is always fixed over the same spot on the Earth) at 22,300 miles above the Earth. The satellites have infrared sensors, meaning they can detect heat. When a rocket or missile is launched, a tremendous amount of heat is produced - enough for the satellites to detect. Rudolph's nose gives off an infrared signature similar to a missile launch. The satellites can detect Rudolph's bright red nose with practically no problem. With so many years of experience, NORAD has become good at tracking aircraft entering North America, detecting worldwide missile launches and tracking the progress of Santa, thanks to Rudolph.


The third detection system we use is the Santa Cam. We began using it in 1998 - the year we put our Santa Tracking program on the Internet. NORAD Santa Cams are ultra-cool high-tech high-speed digital cameras that are pre-positioned at many places around the world. NORAD only uses these cameras once a year - Christmas Eve. The cameras capture images of Santa and the Reindeer as they make their journey around the world. We immediately download the images on to our web site for people around the world to see. Santa Cams produce both video and still images.

The fourth detection system we use is the NORAD jet fighter. Canadian NORAD fighter pilots, flying the CF-18, take off out of Newfoundland to intercept and welcome Santa to North America. Then at numerous locations in Canada other CF-18 fighter pilots escort Santa. While in the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in either the F-15 or F-16 get the thrill of flying with Santa and the famous Reindeer Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. About a dozen NORAD fighters in Canada and the United States are equipped with Santa Cams.

More:

Santa Puzzle

Santa Cam Bookmarks

Enjoy

Merry Christmas All

Pip

Last edited by pippin_death (2006-12-24 03:28:20)

crimson_grunt
Shitty Disposition (apparently)
+214|7093|Teesside, UK

pippin_death wrote:

Yes, Track Santa this Christmas! Traveling throughout the world! Using Norad Santa Cam
Thats cool.  Its a nice tradition.
pippin_death
Devon Dweller
+36|7026|Devon, England
lol, hes just left Perth.
spray_and_pray
Member
+52|6930|Perth. Western Australia

pippin_death wrote:

lol, hes just left Perth.
He didnt count for daylight savings here damnit its still the 24th AHHHHHHHHHH... Meh I'll go get myself a christmas present later.
pippin_death
Devon Dweller
+36|7026|Devon, England
Now going over Bako

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