I realize this was done before by Roland but it was fun
and a real
challenge to do.
The processing steps were roughly as follows
1) After combining the h-alpha frames DDP was applied in Maxim.
2) The 16 bit file was then processed aggressively in photoshop
using multiple rounds of curves, and levels to enhance the
faint
halo.
3) H-alpha was then combined with the G and B channels.
4) A luminance was made from a composite of the HA data (#1)
and a LR processed version for the central region (5 iterations).
5) Unsharp mask was applied to the luminance.
6) LRGB was then made in PS.
7) A "minimum filter" was applied to the "red" channel to reduce
the numerous little red stars and red halos that result from the
above
process.
8) Finishing touches were applied in PS.