The Z=56 barium nuclei represent one of the best example of an isotopic chain to explore the evolution of quadrupole deformation as the neutron number decreases
Four key reactions, 12C(, )13O, 13C(, n)16O, 25Mg(p, )26Al and 19F(p, )16O, will be studied for the first time within or near the astrophysical relevant energy