The Times Square Ball used in New York's modern New Year's Eve celebration has a diameter of 12 feet.
The current ball is a geodesic sphere covered with Waterford crystal panels and illuminated by computer-controlled LEDs. It is lowered from a flagpole atop One Times Square during the final minute of December 31, reaching the bottom at midnight.
The 12-foot measurement describes the ball's width across, not its height above the square or the length of the pole supporting it. The sphere also weighs about 11,875 pounds, making it a substantial permanent structure rather than a lightweight stage prop. Its appearance can change as new crystal designs are added.
The ball has grown dramatically since the first drop in 1907. The original was made of iron and wood, measured about five feet across, and was lit with incandescent bulbs. The modern design is intended to remain on display year-round at One Times Square, even though its most famous use is the New Year's Eve descent.