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NORAD Sets Sights on Santa

Bizarre tradition dates back to misprinted Christmas ad in 1955

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 24, 2009 4:44 PM CST
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(Newser) – The North American Aerospace Defense Command is ready for its busiest night of the year, when it puts mundane tasks like looking for wandering Russian bombers or North Korean missiles on the back burner and tracks Santa Claus. As it has every Christmas for more than 50 years, NORAD offers updates on St. Nick’s position—these days, online and in real time.

The agency doesn’t play down the sheer ridiculousness of the tradition’s beginning, reports the Newark Star-Ledger. A store ad urging kids to call Santa had a misprint: NORAD’s telephone number. But the trackers are deadly serious—or so they say. NORAD monitors the beginning of Santa’s trip with 47 radar sites near the Arctic Circle, and after that tracks him with infrared satellites, aided by Rudolph’s nose’s heat signature. To track the big guy yourself, click here.

The misprinted 1955 ad that started the bizarre tradition.
The misprinted 1955 ad that started the bizarre tradition.   (AP Photo)
Unidentified analysts keep tabs on information flowing into the Combined Intelligence and Fusion Center for NORAD/Northcom in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Unidentified analysts keep tabs on information flowing into the Combined Intelligence and Fusion Center for NORAD/Northcom in Colorado Springs, Colo.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Enoughie
Dec 27, 2009 5:08 AM CST
Good thing we were looking for Santa, and not... oh, I don't know.. listening to people who say their son is planning a TERROR ATTACK!
Enoughie
Dec 25, 2009 12:59 PM CST
Santa is always jolly... cuz he knows where all the naughty girls live... :)
EpicFailGuy
Dec 25, 2009 11:25 AM CST
He's fucking imaginary. Can someone tell me why we do this again?

 
radar • infrared • Santa Claus • spy satellite • tradition • air defense • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer • NORAD • Christmas Eve • North American Aerospace Defense Command • whimsy

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