Strange white object found by Opportunity rover on Mars

[Dayle Record]

Has anyone been looking at the strange object that Opportunity has been approaching. At first glimpse a couple of days ago it looks like a large thing that augured in at a shallow angle, making a long slide path, and building up debris out front. It is strangely white, and etc. Is is a part of their landing? Have they stumbled onto the Beagle lander?

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/all/1/p/322/1P156773108ESF4000P2574L3M1.JPG

That image is as large as it gets for now.

 

[russ_watters]

It's its heat sheild.