Abstract: An absolute reference aerosol sampler system and method based on isokinetic and isoaxial sampling principles wherein the position of a collection inlet for an aerosol sampling head is adjusted relative to the actual wind direction in real time. In addition, flow rate of the air at a collection inlet within the absolute-reference sampler is matched to the real time actual wind speed. These adjustments and controls enable the absolute reference sampler system to obtain particulate samples from the immediate environment without biasing the size distribution in any manner, resulting in a fully unbiased, representative sample.