Simultaneous multifrequency observations of Markarian 421

Simultaneous radio, optical, ultraviolet, and X-ray observations of the highly variable BL Lacertae object Mrk 421 conducted over a period of four days in December 1984 and again in January 1985 are reported. During this time, the 2-10 keV flux dropped by a factor of eight, whereas the 0.1-1 keV flux decreased by a factor of only two. These changes were not reproduced at longer wavelengths during the period of simultaneous observation. The implications of these results for beaming models, the relation between BL Lacertae objects and other classes of AGN, and the nature of the core regions of active galaxies are discussed.