Final answer:
The planet in question with the second most extensive rings after Saturn, which lacks surface features and whose rings were discovered from Earth, is Uranus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The planet with the second most extensive rings after Saturn, which lacks notable surface features but whose rings were discovered from Earth, is Uranus. Uranus has a unique set of rings surrounding it, which were first discovered in 1977. These rings are composed of countless small icy fragments and are mostly translucent. While not as easily visible as Saturn's rings, Uranus' rings have complicated forms influenced by the pull of its moons.The rings of the giant planets are composed of countless small particles that range from mountain-sized to mere grains of dust. These particles orbit closely around the equator of their respective planets.
Saturn's rings are the most prominent and easiest to observe from Earth, displaying a variety of gaps and formed by icy fragments. Similar to Saturn's narrow rings are the rings of Uranus and Neptune, though they are not as easily visible from Earth. The existence of Neptune's and Uranus's rings points towards complex gravitational interactions with the moons orbiting these planets, contributing to their dynamism and structure. The investigation of these ring systems provides scientists with deeper insights into planetary formation and the influence of gravitational forces.