Underground nuclear astrophysics from the Big Bang to astrophysical novae

New astronomical observations on the Sun and other astronomical objects require for their interpretation new, precise nuclear cross section data. However, in stable-beam experiments for nuclear astrophysics, in many cases the cross section is so low that the laboratory background in a detector forms an insurmountable obstacle to experiments at astrophysical energies. By placing the experimental setup in an underground laboratory, the cosmic ray induced background can be reduced so far that highly sensitive experiments are feasible. Data on Big Bang nucleosynthesis and a number of hydrogen burning reactions in the Sun, asymptotic-giant branch stars and astrophysical novae are reviewed here.