What is the official name of the illuminated ball lowered in Times Square on New Year's Eve?

The illuminated object lowered in Times Square on New Year's Eve is called the Times Square Ball.

The tradition began on December 31, 1907, when the first ball descended from a flagpole atop One Times Square. The event was organized by The New York Times to mark the newspaper's new headquarters and replace its earlier fireworks celebration.

The ball has been redesigned several times. Modern versions use thousands of light-emitting diodes and crystal panels, making the display far more elaborate than the original wood-and-iron ball. The descent lasts about 60 seconds and ends at midnight in the Eastern Time Zone.

A common mix-up is calling it the “New Year's Eve Ball” as though that were its official name. “Times Square Ball” is the standard name used for the object and the ceremony. The event is also distinct from the midnight fireworks sometimes staged elsewhere in New York City.