Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes I think we’re alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we’re not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. – Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Where are you folks?

We’re located at 2300 Marconi Road in Building 9162, the one immediately next to the 60′ Radio Telescope.

Full Address:
Building 9162
2300 Marconi Road
Wall Township, NJ
07719

Is there an inventory of the computers, software, and tools available?

We are working on making an inventory available but it is a long and tedious process to make available online.  As you may have noticed, we have a lot of tools. If you are looking for something specific we encourage you to ask.

Is there a place for me to keep my lunch cold?

For members, you are welcome to keep your lunch cold in the fridge in the office. It must have your name on it and today’s date. If it is left overnight it will be thrown out or eaten. (probably eaten)

What door do I enter to get in?

Our entrance is the double door accessible from the parking lot adjacent to the TLM-18.

How do I request observing time on the telescope?

Currently, telescope time is restricted  to site staff only.

How do I use the Wi-Fi here?

As we are attempting to receive tiny, mindbogglingly small signals from very, very, very far away, we generally have the site Wi-Fi disabled as it interferes with the radio telescope.   When we are not actively observing, you are welcome to log into any Wi-Fi access point that starts with “ISEC”. The password for all of them is “est_ad_astra“.

By using our Wi-Fi you agree to act responsibly.  Posting bogus bad reviews to Yelp is generally frowned upon.

Where can I get food near the lab?

We are nearby many food opportunities.  <insert>

How do I get at job at ISEC?

At this time we do not have any paid positions open ISEC.

We do have docent openings, and when the budget allows, we opt for from within the organization when possible.

What happens if I break something?

Before you can use many (if not most) tools, we require training.  For many things this process will be short and to the point.  For certain things, this can be a multiple-day session with tiers.

Because of this, the rule for breaking tools is pretty simple: If it was a pure accident, you are not responsible. If you ignored safety instructions, operational instructions or the advice of a staff member, you will be responsible for repair/ replacement of the item.

What are the facility hours?

At the moment we are closed to regropup, when we reopen, the intent is to be open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

  • For members, plan to be open 10a-9pm.
  • For visitors, plan to be be open 1 pm-4pm.

How are you different from others?

We are a non-profit, and that drives the core of our operations. We strive to make everything as accessible as possible. Our costs are as low as we can make them.

What kind of donations are most important for daily operations?

The most useful donations are general funds donations which can be done either as a one-time donation or through our sponsorship page. This allows us to focus on the most urgent needs as they arise.

I am short on money and live far away. How can I help?

The largest way to help us via tele-presence is through sharing our content.  Social media is our biggest method of exposure, and sharing videos, Facebook statuses, Twitter messages, etc. help us immensely.

What is worth more, a donation or volunteering?

We value what you can give. If that means a donation, that’s fantastic! If that means volunteering, thank you for your time!

What matters to us is that you got involved and made a difference.