Helium burning of nitrogen and oxygen isotopes

The science case and feasibility for experimental study of several nuclear reactions important for stellar helium burning will be reviewed. The cases of the ¹⁵N(alpha,gamma)¹⁹F, ¹⁶O(alpha,gamma)²⁰Ne, and ¹⁸O(alpha,gamma)²²Ne reactions will be discussed in detail. It is shown that a study of these reactions at an underground accelerator will allow to significantly improve the nuclear reaction rate input for astrophysics.