In 50,000 years we would be the aliens. I see what you mean it would just be a time capsule. It would need multiple missions attached to it. To even make it worth it.

Yeah it's really a cost benefit thing right now. Even then like you said there need to be multiple missions attached to it. It would have to be something we planned for far ahead.

We all seen how long the James Webb took. You would need at least that much time as a margin of error. That maybe a pretty generous estimate, but if this is a once in humanity shot. You would have to plan for things to go wrong.

My first picture of Saturn turned out to be a green oval blur.

I haven't gone as far as measuring it, but for me it's seems closer to one. Different time zones, being on the edge of a time zone, different time changes you may be observing such as daylight savings time can all vary your results.

I would say when the sun is completely on the other side of the Earth to the observer. Take note of what time of day the Sun is right in the middle of the sky. Then that time at night the sun would be on the opposite side of you.

I believe it's a matter of how many people see it as to whether it makes it into the news or not. There was one that I seen that made it into the news. It only made it there because it was on a Friday night when everybody was out watching high School football.

Sugar rockets might be the next best. I've seen them go up high enough the sky goes dark, and the curve is very visible. I think balloons are probably still cheaper. Sugar rockets might be close with good planning and luck.