Milky Way-2

Just my opinion but it appears that you are teetering on the edge with noise reduction even  tiny bit more and you will start destroying stars.

Not enough noise reduction (see all the noise in your fog bank), just my opinion but then, I don't like noise.  Just for fun I ran your photo through Neat Image.  See what you think.  Regardless, a good shot.  Welcome to PNet... Mike

Very nice, good work.

The example with the reduced noise by MLM(?) shows what I was referring to.  Set the to pics side by side and you will see that the noise reduced ones stars are much larger in diameter (hence less sharp),  So it is your call.

There is a compromise that can be found by selectively reducing noise in the fog bank whilst retaining the original stars, just use the second image with the noise reduction as a layer mask in photo shop then use the eraser tool to reveal the stars in their original state. Just a suggestion.

Best Regards 

Alf 

An interesting problem and potential debate.  First, I don't assume to be correct, I've never seriously attempted this type image and don't use noise reduction often.  As a point of reference between the two images, I lose track of what is actual stars and what is noise (to a degree).  Hopefully, some night scene photogs will speak up with some techniques.  Otherwise, I like Alf's suggestion...  Mike

Alf's is the answer!