He's on his way! Christmas lovers can follow Santa's round-the-world trip with stunning visualisation

Tom Powell24 December 2016

Santa’s journey around the globe delivering billions of presents has officially begun – and he can be tracked all the way.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) is mapping his every movement with a stunning 3D visualisation.

Norad, which is usually responsible for defending US airspace, has been tracking his global journey every Christmas Eve for 61 years.

The organisation originally provided updates on Santa’s position over the phone but now he is tracked through a live online stream and social media accounts as well.

Santa making his way to New Zealand just before midday GMT
Norad

The bearded present-giver is expected to travel an estimated 510,000,000 km over the course of one night, travelling at roughly 1,800 miles per second in order to deliver all his gifts.

Christmas fanatics can use the Norad tracker to view pictures and find out information about every place that Santa visits.

At 11am GMT, Norad announced its scientists had picked up Santa travelling across the North Pole before heading over the east coast of Russia.

He then headed into the southern hemisphere en route to New Zealand and Australia.

Norad

The Norad call centre has 1,500 volunteers working today answering calls and emails from children (big and small) about Santa’s location.

The telephone is expected to ring 140,000 times over the next 24 hours.

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