I finally got around to doing a high resolution image of this nebula. It has been on my list for some time now. Often imaged with M42 but I think it really deserves an image of its own. Placed in a different part of space it would rival all the other bright nebula in my opinion. I really love the striations of dust and gas and the subtle filigree within the inner most parts. There as so many awesome shapes and processes going on within the entire field, its hard to pick one.
The image contains 11.8 hours of data. I used L Ha OIII RGB. It could do with more data in my opinion.
Wow the fine detail through the reflection looks awesome....so well processed....sure was worth the high res Paul! eye candy indeed
(not a criticism)what's the slight vertical elongation Paul? is that in RA or flexure?
Thanks for picking this up, it slipped past me. Looks like a combination of a few factors; that being subtle guiding error on a couple of nights in the luminance data, coupled with slight focus error which provides some elongation in star shapes. There was also a slight issue with balance, which might have been present when I took this part of the data as it is not present in the data taken since this adjustment. The scope is a bit of a pig to balance with the filter wheel slight offset. I have made corrections to the star shapes now.
Great image Paul. Those striations are an interesting feature.
I imaged this also recently with the CDK but the full moon, weather conspired against me and the resulting image was noisy but basically much the same framing as yours.
Next full moon and clear skies I guess. Astrophotography has been almost impossible in NSW for the last 6 months +.
I do find the extent of the diffraction spikes a little distracting
(a hallmark of the 'scope no doubt, there is very little anyone can do about
where diffracted light ends up ).
Wonderful result Paul. Agree that the framing makes for a worthy and unique composition for this object. The red nebulosity looks like a captured soul in the cloudy surrounds.
I do find the extent of the diffraction spikes a little distracting 
