How does the visual observation of the Milky Way by astronauts compare to ground-based astronomers?

Astronauts witness it with the naked eye, ground observers need specialized equipment

A fundamental distinction between the astronaut's experience and that of a ground-based astronomer lies in the instruments used for initial observation. While professional astronomers on Earth must employ specialized equipment, often involving large telescopes and significantly long-exposure photographic techniques to gather enough photons to reveal the stunning detail of the Milky Way, astronauts are witnessing the structure directly with their naked eyes, even if viewing through a window. This direct, unmediated perception means that the light has not been attenuated by atmospheric thickness, resulting in a view that is intrinsically brighter and clearer than what is typically achievable without technological assistance from the surface, even from remote dark sites.