Finally got autoguiding cracked...

I tried processing the image again.
I cropped it, ran an unsharp mask on it in PS and then the debloom function in maxil dl to reduce the tracking errors. I also increased the colour saturations, in particular the red.

Verry nice!

Michael - that's your best images so far and I think the best M42 seen on this site (well, taken by a contributor) and many others too!

The stars are really sharp but not overcooked and I really like the colour balance. Some M42's can look garish. Your's is super.

That's one for a good printers and stick it in the hall.

Well done - you should be really chuffed. All that hard work is really starting to pay off big time.

Dave

Very nice image Michael, the stars have a glow about them yet the nebula is nice and sharp.
If you could fixed the core brightness and make it visible, its would be a A1 image, it still looks a bit blue to me, but still a good improvement.