new project/ new tophotography, do i need weatherproof camera?

[swissbeets]

i am looking for advice of what camera to buy.
I am looking to take pictures outside daily to create a an image made of many different times of the day of my view.... i hope that makes sense.

i want to take pictures off of my porch twice daily, sunset and sunrise. i would like to be able to blow these pictures up as large as possible to be able to actually hang on the wall. long ways, so approximately 24in tall by 36in wide. they would have to be high enough definition the image wouldnt be blurred when displayed.

Also i want to be able to set the camera down and leave it and have it automatically take the exact same picture. i can update it weekly to the projected times.

i have seen many weatherproof cameras that are 8gb would this be ok? would it be smarter to build an enclosure and somehow secure the camera?
Also if anyone knows approximately how much it will cost to print something like this?

any advice is appreciated. Thanks!