Hi Ric,
this is by no means an easy target at all.
Especially for uncooled cameras.
I hadn't imaged this one for a couple of years now, but remember I had to find a custom curve in Maximdl to get any sort of detail out of the core.
I think to simply stretch the image in say PS you'd probably find things tend to blow out. I was never happy with my image due to a heap of factors, equipment at the time being my down fall.
So I've generally passed this little mother by when in search of new targets.
Here's a link to my old image if your interested... excuse the trailing.
http://www.baytop-observatory.com/cc...%20new%201.jpg
All the best and hope you get it nailed.
Cheers
Rich