As promised, here is the Tutorial for the Galaxy in the recent Multi-part image production.

Step 1: Noise

Actually, step one is making a new doccument. I used 1000x1000 for this, but feel free to use whatever suits yuor purpose. Just be forwarned that the noise filter gets a little harder to controll at higher resoloutions.

After that, make two layers, both filled black. Select the top layer and add noise as shown (as a general note, all things in this tutorial can and should be tweeked to the resoloution you need)

Step 2: Eraiser

Adjust the brighness and contrast of your layer to make it seem less bussy, then get a big, soft eraiser tool and make streaks in your noise layer, preserving the center. It should look something like this:
Step 3: Twirl and refine

Ok, now its time to use the twirl filter to give that spiral shape. Use whatever strength setting works for your picture. After this, erase the edges of the layer to refine the shape.
Step 4: Perspective

This bit is important, naturally. Use the transform tool to put the perspective on your galaxy. Enitrely upto you as tohow far you go with this, as allways, depends on your image!

Step 5: Brushes!

Grab some star brushes for this next part, open up a new layer, set your color to white and get brushing! I used a set i found over at Qbrushes (www.qbrushes.com). but feel free to use any you like.
As you can see, i didnt stick to the twirl 100%, but later eraised the outsides to shape it some more. Make sure the snesest parts are closest to the centre of the galaxy, so you get the 'hub'

Here is the final one I used for my poster:
And her it is in action!
If you liked this let me know via my contact details on the contact me page, and link the tutorial from your own site. Share it round :)