Where's Santa? NORAD tracks him tonight

A tradition that began in 1955 continues today when NORAD tracks the flight of Santa Claus around the world.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command tracks Santa’s path and reports his progress on its Web site, http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html

The agency, created in 1958, monitors the airspace in the United States and Canada and is responsible for the countries’ aerospace and maritime defense. Its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, tracked Santa prior to 1958, the NORAD Web site says.

Radar is used first to track Santa as he lifts off from the North Pole. Once liftoff has occurred, satellites with infrared sensors that detect heat can pick up the infrared signature given off by Rudolph’s nose, the site says.

Santa cameras across the world capture photos and videos of Santa on his journey.

The NORAD site features games for children and information about Santa, his reindeer and his rig.

NORAD is also using the social networking site Twitter: http://twitter.com/noradsanta.  The Virginian-Pilot is following Santa at its Twitter site, http:/twitter.com/PilotNews.