  We present a study of the intrinsic X-ray and far-ultraviolet absorption in
the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy Markarian 279 using simultaneous observations from the
Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph aboard the
Hubble Space Telescope, and the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE).
We also present FUSE observations made at three additional epochs. We detect
the Fe K-alpha emission line in the Chandra spectrum, and its flux is
consistent with the low X-ray continuum flux level of Mrk 279 at the time of
the observation. Due to low signal-to-noise ratios in the Chandra spectrum, no
O VII or O VIII absorption features are observable in the Chandra data, but the
UV spectra reveal strong and complex absorption from HI and high-ionization
species such as O VI, N V, and C IV, as well as from low-ionization species
such as C III, N III, C II, and N II in some velocity components. The far-UV
spectral coverage of the FUSE data provides information on high-order Lyman
series absorption, which we use to calculate the optical depths and line and
continuum covering fractions in the intrinsic HI absorbing gas in a
self-consistent fashion. The UV continuum flux of Mrk 279 decreases by a factor
of ~7.5 over the time spanning these observations and we discuss the
implications of the response of the absorption features to this change. From
arguments based on the velocities, profile shapes, covering fractions and
variability of the UV absorption, we conclude that some of the absorption
components, particularly those showing prominent low-ionization lines, are
likely associated with the host galaxy of Mrk 279, and possibly with its
interaction with a close companion galaxy, while the remainder arises in a
nuclear outflow.
