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The Big Dish, Ireland’s 32-metre radio telescope at the National Space Centre in Elfordstown, Cork, is marking four decades of festive magic this Christmas. Since its inception in 1984, this iconic structure has been a key player in tracking Santa Claus as he embarks on his annual journey to deliver presents to children around the globe.

Initially built by Eircom to facilitate trans-Atlantic calls to North America via satellite, the Big Dish has also played a role in space exploration, listening for the birth of stars and serving as an educational resource. However, every Christmas Eve, it takes on a special mission, guiding Santa’s sleigh as he makes his way to Ireland, lighting up the night sky with festive brilliance.

Bruce Hannah, CEO of The Big Dish Company, shared insights into Santa’s use of modern technology, stating:

“Santa might be a traditionalist when it comes to his sleigh and reindeer, but he’s also a savvy adopter of modern technology. He uses satellite positioning to help keep him on track for his very long night of delivering presents to children all over the world.”

Thanks to its unique vantage point, the Big Dish, alongside satellite navigation systems, helps track Santa’s progress across 70% of the globe. The illuminated telescope acts as a beacon for Santa, ensuring a smooth journey to approximately 2.4 billion children worldwide.

Santa’s journey begins at around 11 am Irish time, with Ireland among the last stops on his midnight sweep before he heads across the Atlantic to North and South America. For parents and children eager to track his progress, real-time updates are available at santatracker.com.