How can astrophotographers be refuted if they say they claim they are viewing actual images of space? Is it technique and coloration that may deceive or alter what is perceived in their field?

Assessment of astrophotographers is worthwhile to look into, as many are citizen private users (non-government or NASA affiliated) who just have the ability to buy the equipment (which may or may not be very expensive) and then use it for personal interest. There are "unofficial" online forums for Astrophotography that discuss its methods with basically the same format as Cathinfo, and practically anyone can join them:

https://www.cloudynights.com/forum/74-astrophotography-and-sketching/

Lot's of fakery there. I don't remember seeing any FE's doctoring their footage, not that they haven't or don't, but they often just use demonstrations that misrepresent reality, or they interpret what they see wrongly, or they don't consider all the variables involved in this complicated world and just jump to their preferred flat conclusion with loose ends. Then, there's GE's who add color to or over saturate their real images, enhance the clarity, and add 3D perspective changing animations with software. Who do you believe? Not the FE's, not the GE's, rather believe God.