The tradition began on New Year’s Eve more than a century ago, when an iron and wooden ball covered with light bulbs was lowered from a flagpole at One Times Square.
Over the years the ball has been replaced several times, and tonight a new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is making its debut. The latest version is a 12 foot geodesic sphere, twice the size of previous balls, and weighs 11,875 pounds (5,386.5 kilos). The new ball is covered in 2,668 Waterford crystals and illuminated by 32,256 LEDs, giving it a palette of more than 16 million colors and the capability of producing billions of kaleidoscopic patterns.
In another first, the new ball will not be put into storage on New Year’s Day. Instead, the New Year’s Eve Ball will now remain on display at One Times Square all year round. Here is a sneak peek at some of the patterns and colors the ball will display tonight.
Have a happy new year!
Blather From Brooklyn 
Happy New Year. May the New Year bring much Happiness and luck. I hope to enjoy your wit and photos all year.
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j’ai fait les mêmes photos la semaine dernière…Une Joyeuse année 2009.
I made the same photographs last week… A Happy New year 2009.
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the new ball is beautiful! Happy new year, i look forward to a 2009 with many more of your awesome photos
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That is s stunning ball. I had no idea it was so heavy. Now the ball will join all the other colors and lights of Times Square. Wish I could get back there and see it again.
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Hi Annulla! See you survived the food and the champagne, and entered 2009 in great shape! ;)) Happy New Year!
Wonderful ball!
Thanks for your comment on «Blogtrotter», now posting on Delhi; lots to see… Hope you like it and wish you a great weekend!
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Hello dear Annula, what do you made a great surprising art ball-look here fantastic!
We are back from holidays…I always enjoyed visiting you blog in 2008, you were a reall inspiration to me.
I wish you many Happy and Creative wishes for 2009! I hope to watch your beautiful photogaphic blog many, many, times in 2009 with also much joy. Please feel/be welcome to follow my blog also,
Friendly greetings from:
JoAnn’s D Eyes
http://www.joannwalraven.blogspot.com
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It looks so pretty, I hope I can see it “in person” some day!
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beautiful!!!! last year i was there standing amidst all humanity watching it making its descent……. seems like ages back now…………:)
hope you are having a beautiful 2009 , black chicken or not!!!!! 🙂
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I can tell that this is not the first time you write about this topic. Why have you decided to touch it again?
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