What is the name of the illuminated ball lowered in Times Square at midnight?

The illuminated object lowered in Times Square at midnight is called the Times Square Ball.

The ball is a time ball: its descent provides a visual signal that midnight has arrived. The current version is a geodesic sphere covered with Waterford crystal panels and illuminated by LEDs, but the object has changed significantly since the first drop in 1907.

The modern ball is far larger and more technologically advanced than the original. It is displayed atop One Times Square for much of the year and is raised for the New Year's Eve ceremony. Its lighting can be programmed in many colors and patterns.

It is often casually called the “New Year's ball,” but Times Square Ball is the specific established name. The ceremony also includes a countdown, performances, and confetti, while the ball itself remains the event's central visual symbol.