What is the name of the large illuminated ball lowered in New York City's Times Square at midnight?

The large illuminated object lowered at midnight in New York City's Times Square is the Times Square Ball.

The ball has been part of the annual celebration since 1907, when it replaced fireworks at the New York Times' headquarters. Over the decades, its design changed from a relatively small iron-and-wood structure to a highly engineered sphere covered with Waterford crystal panels and computer-controlled LEDs. The current ball is displayed above One Times Square before its yearly descent.

The ball is lowered for approximately 60 seconds, reaching the base of the flagpole at midnight. Its name refers to Times Square, not to a particular sponsor or television program. New York's event also features confetti, musical performances, and a large crowd, but the illuminated ball is the ceremony's defining object.