Nuclear astrophysics seeks to understand the nuclear reactions that govern stellar evolution and the synthesis of the elements. At stellar energies, typically a few hundred keV, reaction cross sections are extremely small due to the Coulomb barrier, making direct measurements particularly challenging. The LUNA (Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics) Collaboration has demonstrated that deep-underground facilities, combined with advanced low-background techniques, enable the study of nuclear reactions at energies relevant to stellar nucleosynthesis. This talk will review the experimental challenges and techniques of underground nuclear astrophysics, highlighting recent results and major achievements of LUNA. Finally, the newly funded LUNANOVA project, supported by an ERC Synergy Grant, will be introduced, outlining new perspectives for the future of underground nuclear astrophysics.
org: MELONI Davide