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The amazing things about Google Earth


Google Earth and Santa Claus

During 2005 and 2006, Google Earth was used by Google to help track Santa as he delivered presents around the world. This year, Google will be tracking Santa again in Google Earth. And, there is some other content for Santa you can view in Google Earth right now:

  • Santa Tracker for Christmas in 3D in Google Earth

    Official Santa Tracker – This year Google officially teamed up with Norad (the US North American Air Defense Command), which has been tracking Santa on their radar system for many years, to officially provide tracking for Santa in Google Earth. Here is the NORAD Google Earth Santa Tracker network link (this is the English version folllow the NORAD link below for other languages). You should also visit the www.NORADSanta.org web site to see some games and other information related to the tracking system (and choose alternate languages).

  • Santa Route in Google Earth

    Santa’s Route – You can check out Santa’s route right now in Google Earth based on information from Travel by GPS. Click on the “Points” folder and select “Tools->Play Tour” from the GE menu to see a really cool flying tour of the route. Pretend you are Santa! You can E-mail Travel by GPS a placemark from Google Earth for the location of your house, and they will add your house to the route. Click here for more information.

  • Santa from Space – Santa Picture in Google EarthIn 2005, one of the Google Earth Community members called ‘ear1grey’ posted an amazing discovery. He found a huge picture (36 miles tall) of Santa. He made a nifty Google Earth file for kids so they could go find the Santa by following the red nose of Rudolf the reindeer. Download this file and then turn on the “Little world” in your “Temporary Places“. Look in the nose of Rudolf for Santa.

About Frank Taylor

Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.

Reader Interactions






PLEASE NOTE: Google Earth Blog is no longer writing regular posts. As a result, we are not accepting new comments or questions about Google Earth. If you have a question, use the official Google Earth and Maps Forums or the Google Earth Community Forums.

Comments

  2. Jose Goncalves says

    Lot’s of articles been add in the wikipedia Layer.
    My town (Braga in Portugal) is now full of violet balls

  3. Chris says

    Just to let you know NORAD is not a US exclusive organization it is a JOINT effort between Canada and the States. It employees both Canadian & American service personel.

  4. jason says

    hi santa i wonder if steve the elf is doing good this year because last year he answered my question so im just chiking in on him get back to me soon.
    love, jason way

  7. sean says

    Dear santa please send me a doggie for christmas a cute bull dog or something not girl lookin like my mom likes thank you sean

  12. Dillon says

    Dillon has bee a great little boy. He is four years old and loves Power Rangers, He hopes you bring him a DS and some games. He wants a red one and also wants ower Rangers
    Have a safe and happy trip.
    Love Dillon



PLEASE NOTE: Google Earth Blog is no longer writing regular posts. As a result, we are not accepting new comments or questions about Google Earth. If you have a question, use the official Google Earth and Maps Forums or the Google Earth Community Forums.