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Note: A Lens Flare Filter like Knoll Light Factory can help you achieve amazing results. Trapcode Particular can easily generate starfields too with easy variation.

Instructions

I start by creating two source files in Photoshop

The first is a simple star field. This is an old technique that I'm sure many people know, but for those who don't, it goes like this.

1. Create a new doc - 640 x 480 RGB, 72 dpi, contents white.
2. Filter - add noise. amount = 500, gaussian, (not mono).
3. Filter - Gaussian blur - 1.0 pixel.
4. Levels - input levels - 190, .4, 255.
5. Hue/saturation - hue = 0, sat = -70, lightness = -10.
6. Filter - Gaussian blur - .5 pixel. (optional)

None of these values are hard and fast - vary them to achieve the look your want.

Now for the cloud layer.

1. Create a new doc - 640 x 480 RGB, 72 dpi, contents white.
2. Filter - render/clouds
3. Filter - render/difference clouds.
4. Invert.
5. Levels - input levels = 110, .55, 255.
6. Hue/saturation - colorize - hue = 30, sat = 50, lightness = -15.
7. Now you need to create an alpha channel. I take either the green or blue channel, duplicate it as the alpha then invert the values. Basically you are isolating the dark areas to use as gaseous clouds in space. Play with this until you get the areas you want. When done, blur 5 pixels.
8. Now let's move into After Effects. Import the star field and the clouds twice - one with the alpha and one ignoring the alpha. Create a 320 x 280 comp at whatever length you wish. Drag each image to the comp and scale to 50 %. The reason I create the images at twice the comp size is for flexibility. If your zoom in you maintain resolution and while experimenting you may want to layer an image more than once at different scales to add depth.
9. Place the star field in the back most layer then the clouds with alpha then the straight clouds. Change the opacity of the alpha clouds to 40% and the straight clouds to 20%. I also like to use a transfer mode of hard light on the straight clouds. If you don't see enough stars place a starfield layer between the clouds layer and use Knoll unmult. Leave the blend setting at 0 for now.
10. Now use Knoll Lens Flare Pro to create a couple stars on the starfield layer, if you have it. (No this is not a knoll ad - just the tools I happen to use for this.) This is where all semblance of order falls apart. Try different flare styles and settings to fit into your composition. Try placing it in different locations to see how it interacts with the clouds. Try choosing the clouds as an obscuration layer in RGB or RGB plus alpha mode. Keep playing until you get the look you want.

One last touch I added was a little twirl on the top cloud layer.

This is just a jumping off point. There are lot's of variations to try at every step of the way. Have fun!