What object is lowered at midnight during New York City's annual Times Square New Year's Eve celebration?

The object lowered at midnight during New York City’s annual Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration is the Times Square Ball.

The tradition began in 1907, when the first ball was lowered from a flagpole atop One Times Square. The descent gives the famous countdown a visible final moment as the old year ends and the new year begins.

The ball has been redesigned several times. Modern versions use illuminated crystal panels and computer-controlled LED lighting, allowing many colors and patterns. The current ball is much larger and heavier than the original.

The Times Square Ball is sometimes mistakenly called a “ball drop” as though the object simply falls. It is actually lowered in a controlled descent lasting about 60 seconds. The event is one of the world’s best-known New Year celebrations.