yes, bagginsbill, a fantasy, but I'm portraying the universe in the same model as a galaxy. But instead of solar systems, planets and star sytems surrounding the central core of a galaxy, this model has galaxies surrounding a central sun. But remember, this cosmos is seen at a distance, so galaxies would for the most part be smaller or larger points of light with a number of small disc shaped lights.

seachnasaigh, not sure you were heading off in the wrong direction. The black hole model might work but instead of a black hole in the center, replace it with a sun.

Problem is that I'm not sure what you are referring to by: "use a pair of linked edge blend nodes to make the sectors visible but see-through" and "soft selection rotation to swirl them."