…and other Christmas mysteries answered with science!
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Happy Holidays! Ever wonder how Santa could possibly manage to deliver all those presents in a single night? Or what gives red-nosed reindeer the ability to fly? And why do your Christmas lights get tangled in knots no matter how carefully you put the away?!

Here’s some Christmas-themed science, as our gift to you. See you in 2015!

SOURCES:
Why Christmas lights tangle: “Spontaneous knotting of an agitated string”

Apollo 8 “Santa sighting”

Santa’s reindeer are probably female:

Reindeer hair is hollow and “buoyant”

Reindeer really do have red noses:

Reindeer eyes change color:

Santa’s challenge (check my math!):

Have an idea for an episode or an amazing science question you want answered? Leave a comment below!

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It’s Okay To Be Smart is written and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.DFollow me on Twitter: @jtotheizzoe
Email me: itsokaytobesmart AT gmail DOT com
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Produced by PBS Digital Studios:

Joe Hanson – Creator/Host/Writer
Joe Nicolosi – Director
Amanda Fox – Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads – Associate Producer
Andrew Matthews – Editing/Motion Graphics
Katie Graham – Director of Photography
John Knudsen – Gaffer
Dalton Allen – Post-Production Intern

Theme music:
“Ouroboros” by Kevin MacLeod

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Last week’s video:
Climate Science: What You Need To Know

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How The Elements Got Their Names –

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39 COMMENTS

  1. I loved hearing the science behind the reality of Santa Clause. But since Christmas is the one time of year that gives us all the excuse to be kids again. I think I will go with the explanation that Santa’s ability to get round the world and deliver all his gifts in one night. Is achieved by magic.

  2. But it seems this also missing a point (althroug not differes so much), 10 pm 24 dec will be to late for some European countries to deliver present, as this is open after diner on 24 dec about 7/8 pm, which means santa much deliver this at latest about 6.30 pm 24 but could begin as earlia as about 8 pm on the 23 dec.

  3. Dont forget that some household's child stay at apartment or flag or even houses with no chimney so maybe he just throw the gift into the balcony or even left them in letter box!! As yet on earth, some country don't even care and celebrate Christmas so ,maybe he would like fly off to another places. The country does not celebrate Christmas is maybe NK, SA, and more!! So means that he would decrease the time of travelling to other country for delivery!! As yet maybe the gift he places would teleport to the place he like!

  4. nope Santas reindeer are male I gave Santa a questioner on a sheet of appear an I asked him if your reindeer/caribou boy or girl and I put a box above boy and girl and he ticked boy so get wrekt they must put like cloth antlers on

  5. I HATE Santa soooooooo much he made me sick last year by all the the coal I told my parents that its not funny that they are pretending THAT Santa is real case its not I never belived in Santa my whole life my sister used to did but now she doesn't thanks to me WAIT my parents never told me that Santa was real

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