What 12-foot object is lowered in Times Square during New York City’s New Year’s Eve countdown?

The 12-foot object lowered in Times Square during New York City’s countdown is the Times Square Ball.

The current ball is a large illuminated geodesic sphere covered with Waterford crystal panels and powered by programmable LED lighting. Its descent begins shortly before midnight on December 31 and ends at the start of January 1.

The ball has changed substantially since the first drop in 1907. Earlier versions were made from iron, wood, and later aluminum, while modern designs emphasize transparency, color, and computerized animation. The present ball was installed in 2008 and is displayed at One Times Square throughout much of the year.

The 12-foot diameter is easy to confuse with the ball’s weight or with earlier dimensions. The object is not a globe representing Earth; it is a purpose-built time ball inspired by maritime and astronomical timekeeping devices.