Experimental approach to nuclear reactions of astrophysical interest involving radioactive nuclei

Nuclear reactions are responsible for the nucleosynthesis and energy generation in stars. From all the stellar sites, explosive events have attracted great attention in the last years. Due to the high temperatures and short reaction time scales in these events, nuclear reactions on unstable nuclei play a crucial role. However, substantial uncertainties remain in reaction rates on unstable nuclei due to limited experimental data. In recent years some remarkable developments in radioactive ion beam production and experimental techniques have allowed many key reaction rates to be experimentally determined with reasonable accuracy for the first time. Some experimental methods that have recently been exploited are reviewed here. Remaining experimental challenges are outlined.