The Laboratory’s Space Data Systems (ISR-3) is keeping an eye out for the jolly old man in the red suit, Santa Claus. Beginning at 6 a.m., Sunday, December 24, Los Alamos scientists will track Santa on his whirlwind travels around the world, and give hourly updates via its Web site at http://santa.lanl.gov online on Santa’s progress toward Northern New Mexico.
“We expect Santa to arrive in Northern New Mexico around midnight, Mountain Standard Time on Christmas Eve,” said Diane Roussel-Dupré of ISR-3. “Basically, we expect that he will be busy chasing midnight in all locations around the world as he makes his deliveries to the good girls and boys.”
Laboratory space scientists will use the satellite tracking dish located in Los Alamos, to monitor Santa’s progress as he races around the world delivering presents and goodies to children everywhere.
In addition, Los Alamos scientists will keep an eye on St. Nick with sensors on the FORTE satellite. The U.S. Air Force also will use its nine tracking stations around the world to help monitor the sleigh and its eight tiny reindeer.
“We like to think of our efforts as another way to help spread glad tidings,” Roussel-Dupré said. “This is our present to the communities of Northern New Mexico.”
