The Solar System consists of 8 planets orbiting the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The inner planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars - are smaller and rocky, while the outer planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - are large gas giants. Asteroid belts exist between Mars and Jupiter and beyond Neptune's orbit. Pluto is no longer considered a planet but is a dwarf planet along with Makemake, Haumea, Eris, and Ceres.