Nuclear Astrophysics Underground: Status and Future

Abstract

For more than two decades LUNA (Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics) has been the only underground laboratory in the world. Over the years many plans have been discussed on different continents for additional laboratories dedicated to the study of nuclear reactions of astrophysical interest at very low energies under almost background free conditions. Only now some of these projects became or will soon become reality. This contribution will focus on the commissioning and features of the CASPAR (Compact Accelerator System for Performing Astrophysical Research) project, the first underground accelerator in the US located in the Sanford Underground Research Facility.