Our solar system consists of the Sun and everything within its gravitational pull, including eight planets orbiting the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The four inner planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars - are terrestrial planets composed primarily of rock. Between Mars and Jupiter lies the asteroid belt. The four outer planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - are gas giants composed largely of hydrogen and helium. Earth stands alone in supporting life due to properties such as liquid water, atmosphere, and ozone layer.