Advent Day 12: Santa Science

North Carolina State University professor of aerospace engineering Larry Silverberg explains how Santa can visit the entire world in a single night using his knowledge of the theory of relativity.

Silverberg is not so naïve as to think that Santa and his reindeer can travel approximately 200 million square miles – making stops in some 80 million homes – in one night. Instead, he posits that Santa uses his knowledge of the space/time continuum to form what Silverberg calls “relativity clouds.”

“Based on his advanced knowledge of the theory of relativity, Santa recognizes that time can be stretched like a rubber band, that space can be squeezed like an orange and that light can be bent,” Silverberg says. “Relativity clouds are controllable domains – rips in time – that allow him months to deliver presents while only a few minutes pass on Earth. The presents are truly delivered in a wink of an eye.” (NCSU Press Release)

Check out Dr. Silverberg's web site for a fuller explanation and videos.

Clearly Christmas is the perfect opportunity to introduce your little ones to Einstein's theories!

Tags: Christmas, Santa, physics