  Nuclear astrophysics, the union of nuclear physics and astronomy, went
through an impressive expansion during the last twenty years. This could be
achieved thanks to milestone improvements in astronomical observations, cross
section measurements, powerful computer simulations and much refined stellar
models. Italian groups are giving quite important contributions to every domain
of nuclear astrophysics, sometimes being the leaders of worldwide unique
experiments. In this paper we will discuss the astrophysical scenarios where
nuclear astrophysics plays a key role and we will provide detailed descriptions
of the present and future of the experiments on nuclear astrophysics which
belong to the scientific programme of INFN (the National Institute for Nuclear
Physics in Italy).
