Thanks all for the very good responses. I think all the bases have been covered as far as I can tell.
I have to say that the portability issue did not occur to me. So thanks for bringing that up. Generally, I will be moving my setup 10m into the garden. 90% of my viewing/photographing will be undertaken here and so I won't be far from an electrical outlet. That solves the power issue. But I will need to think about where to place a laptop.
I already have a DSLR. In fact, I have two. I have a Canon Powershot SX50HS, which I still use for regular photography. It is a very fine camera for that purpose. Alas, it is unusable for AP since it does not have a removable lens. I then bought a Nikon DX40 second hand for around €50, for the specific purpose of AP. I have not modified it since the intent is to use it as an 'entry level' camera. As also suggested in this thread. I did need to purchase extra fixings to make the whole thing work for its purpose. T2 rings, a remote, and some distance rings. I think those extra things cost more than the camera itself :). But it enables me to learn the same lessons that I would also need to learn if I bought a brand new EOS(X). Albeit the results may not be as good.
Due to several lengthy periods of bad weather, I have not been able to test the setup on more than a couple of nights. I have yet to take a picture that I dare post here as a 'show and tell' on my progress. Or the lack of it, as it were.
So, I am not on the verge of making a large purchase at my local camera dealer. I am just using the 'downtime' for some investigative research and picking the brains of those who have already been where I am now. It is a great help!
According to Telescope Observer these cameras are the best that money can buy today (for AP). But with prices starting at £800, it just got me thinking that a camera that was produced with one purpose in mind, ought to be cheaper than a camera that is designed to perform multiple tasks. Extrapolating on that premise, it was logical to assume that you would get a much better single-purpose camera with the same budget. Anyway, it made sense in my mind .
Somewhere down the line, if/when my AP enthusiasm evolves into something more than a passing fancy and I feel that a camera upgrade is needed, I will definitely be picking your brains once again. I must say that the multitude of choices out there, is very confusing to someone at my level. If having a Nikon DX40, Alt-Az goto GTI mount and a 127mm Mak grants me any level at all ?.
Thank you all for your helpful advice and deliberations.
Edit: Corrected a few spelling mistakes.