What characteristic does Herschel's engagement with advanced mathematics, such as elliptical functions, demonstrate?

Answer

A mind prepared to grapple with concepts far removed from the telescope

His engagement with concepts like elliptical functions shows a mind prepared to grapple with concepts far removed from the telescope lenses he was refining for his observations.

What characteristic does Herschel's engagement with advanced mathematics, such as elliptical functions, demonstrate?
scientistAstronomerMathematicsalgebracalculus