Astrophotography as a concept isn't hard, just like photography isn't hard; compose, expose, focus, fire.
But just like, say, wedding photography the actual execution to create good results requires a lot of experience and expensive kit. You can catch some passable images of the night sky with a basic SLR and lens just like at Aunt Maud's wedding, but beginning star-watchers see those magnificent photos of galaxies in magazines and to avoid huge disappointment it's kinder to set expectations at the outset.
But just like, say, wedding photography the actual execution to create good results requires a lot of experience and expensive kit. You can catch some passable images of the night sky with a basic SLR and lens just like at Aunt Maud's wedding, but beginning star-watchers see those magnificent photos of galaxies in magazines and to avoid huge disappointment it's kinder to set expectations at the outset.